Tag: Critical Thinking
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Demystification
Demystification, rooted in Enlightenment values, involves clarifying obscure subjects through rational explanations. Applied across various fields, it emphasizes analytical approaches and factual evidence to enhance understanding and challenge established beliefs.
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Groupthink
Groupthink is a psychological dynamic in groups where the desire for harmony leads to poor decision-making, characterized by suppressed dissent and inadequate evaluation of alternatives and risks.
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Oversimplification
Oversimplification reduces intricate ideas to basic summaries, potentially obscuring important details and fostering generalizations that might mislead, often affecting both the individual understanding and broader public discourse.
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Flying by Instruments
In instrument flight, pilots utilize onboard instruments for navigation, especially crucial in challenging conditions where external visuals are limited or obscured. As aviation evolved, this method, driven by both the need for safety and advancements in technology, necessitated rigorous training to ensure pilot proficiency.
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Gish Gallop
Originating from Duane Gish’s debate style, the Gish Gallop involves quickly introducing multiple arguments, complicating timely counter-arguments. This method, prevalent in both public forums and online spaces, primarily seeks to inundate the opposition and sway observers.
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Russell Conjugation
Russell Conjugation demonstrates how word choice affects emotional interpretation without altering factual content. Prominent in media and politics, its understanding is key to deciphering subtle biases and maintaining informed perspectives in various sectors of society.
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WYSIATI – What You See Is All There Is
The principle of WYSIATI highlights humanity’s propensity to draw conclusions from visible data while neglecting what might be omitted. Originally identified by Daniel Kahneman, this cognitive bias has significant ramifications across various fields, from politics to finance.
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Cognitive Bias
Cognitive biases, prevalent yet often unnoticed, shape decision-making processes. These systematic thinking errors—confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and more—affect individual choices, societal views, and interpersonal relationships. Strategies for minimizing their influence are part of a complex cognitive landscape.
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Steel-manning
Steel-manning is a debate technique where one strengthens an opposing argument before addressing it, promoting understanding and intellectual honesty. It enhances critical thinking and encourages productive debate, though it can unintentionally amplify harmful ideas.