Re:Ask HN: Resources for critical thinking and communication...
by moh_maya on Friday May 11, 2018 @04:37PM
(#17050625)
So, imo, cognitive biases, that you mention, are distinct from 'critical thinking'.
One needs to be aware of the implicit & explicit biases, but that's not the same as the ability to think critically.
I would argue the first step is to understand how people in general think, and in particular, how one thinks.
For understanding "how" we think, with a clear focus on the biases and pitfalls, one very useful reference is "thinking fast and slow" [1]
Critical thinking requires logical / rational thinking (not necessarily the same thing) and (I think) also requires one to think of the issue from multiple perspectives and try to identify all the factors / drivers.
That, I think, would come from empathy and a deliberate attempt to systematically identify all variables. So, at some level, the skills one picks up as a scientist. But I don't know of any single book that lists them..
So, at some level, a lot of business model analysis frameworks maybe useful; for instance, Porters 5 forces [2], SWOT analysis, etc.
Finally, to be able to think critically, one also needs to be self aware. Perhaps meditation can help with that, but reading & digesting some of the philosophy classics may also help (Seneca, Bhagvat Gita & Upanishads, Kant). But these become tasks for a lifetime!
One needs to be aware of the implicit & explicit biases, but that's not the same as the ability to think critically.
I would argue the first step is to understand how people in general think, and in particular, how one thinks.
For understanding "how" we think, with a clear focus on the biases and pitfalls, one very useful reference is "thinking fast and slow" [1]
Critical thinking requires logical / rational thinking (not necessarily the same thing) and (I think) also requires one to think of the issue from multiple perspectives and try to identify all the factors / drivers.
That, I think, would come from empathy and a deliberate attempt to systematically identify all variables. So, at some level, the skills one picks up as a scientist. But I don't know of any single book that lists them..
So, at some level, a lot of business model analysis frameworks maybe useful; for instance, Porters 5 forces [2], SWOT analysis, etc.
Finally, to be able to think critically, one also needs to be self aware. Perhaps meditation can help with that, but reading & digesting some of the philosophy classics may also help (Seneca, Bhagvat Gita & Upanishads, Kant). But these become tasks for a lifetime!
[1] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-a...
[2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter%27s_five_forces_analy...
(Edit: added last 2 paragraphs on business analysis frameworks and self awareness, and links)