Tools for Thinking Critically
Thinking Critically About Critical Thinking
Philosopher Daniel Dennett argues that philosophy should intersect with science and address life's deepest questions, valuing critical debate as essential for uncovering truth, and applies this analysis to AI, urging careful consideration of its perceived truthfulness to maximize its benefits.
Keeping Your Wits About You
Philosopher Daniel Dennett offers critical thinking strategies to help navigate persuasive arguments, emphasizing the importance of questioning intuition pumps and being wary of manipulative language, particularly when encountering the word "surely."
“Occam’s Heuristics”
Philosopher Daniel Dennett offers two heuristics for evaluating arguments: simplify your own by removing unnecessary details, and be cautious of complex arguments that may overlook key facts, especially in unfamiliar topics like conspiracy theories.
Analogies
Analogies can effectively clarify complex ideas by drawing comparisons, but philosopher Daniel Dennett warns they can also mislead; thus, it's essential to test their validity, acknowledge critical differences, and refine them through discussion with others.
Strategic Questioning
Philosopher Daniel Dennett explores the value of questioning in gaining wisdom, emphasizing the importance of collaborative inquiry and the need to challenge assumptions through dialogue, while also addressing when to question alone or provide answers.
Humor
In a video lesson, philosopher Daniel Dennett explores the neurological basis of humor, explaining how our brains catch mistakes, the emotional interplay involved, and how humor can challenge assumptions and reveal important truths.
The Intentional Stance
Philosopher Daniel Dennett warns against treating AI as rational agents, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their limitations and the potential for misinformation, urging users to design prompts that seek actual truth rather than accepting misleading outputs.
Calls to “think critically,” to “not believe everything you hear,” and to “do your research” are thrown about regularly in society. And while the advice is important, how exactly to follow it can feel unclear. Enter philosophical legend, Daniel Dennett. Wielding the tools of philosophy and cognitive science, he brings time-tested techniques to bear on modern-day conundrums. In an era dominated by claims of “fake news” and as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to complicate our perception of consciousness, Dennett shines a light on the power of inquiry to rigorously test arguments and the collective pleasure of “getting at” the truth.
Learning Objectives
- Develop healthy skepticism with a critical thinking stance.
- Hone your arguments to be robust, clear, and trustworthy.
- Inquire collaboratively to discover new ideas.
- Use humor to create more joy at work.
- Gather reliable information and establish protective measures when using AI tools.