Science and Technology of Consciousness

Critical Thinking

WholenessCritical thinking does not involve “things to do,” but involves “questions to ask”—a question-asking attitude supporting systematic evaluation of what you hear and read. We create our reality.

Two Thinking Styles: Sponge and Panning-

for- GoldSponge—absorbing o Knowledge acquisition

• First step in gaining knowledge of a new area to understand issues and complexities of that area.

o Passive absorption of information• Memorizing information rather than evaluating

Panning-for- Gold

Panning-for-gold: ask critical questionso Interact with knowledge as it is acquired• Read with a question-asking attitude to evaluate the truth of the information.

First level of questions

Summary o What are the main ideas and conclusions?• What issue is being addressed? • What conclusion is being argued?

Second level of questions

Analysiso Ask questions about the article

• What are the reasons that led to the conclusion?

• What is the evidence that supports the conclusion?

• What are the values, assumptions, orworld view that this paper is embedded in?

Third level of questions

Evaluationo Are the conclusions based on on sound evidence? o Are some of the terms ambiguous?o Are there alternate explanations for the conclusion?o Is the author looking at all sides of the issue?

Exercise Class reading: Science of Being: Being, Speaking harmoniously, pg 148o One person reads the section. Everyone follows along.o Another person will summarize the section; a second will analyze, and a third will evaluate the section.o To do this, you need to READ ACTIVELY….underline and write in the margins.

In pairs…. Read: American Association of Higher Education pg 3 to the top of pg 8 (syllabus)o Use the critical thinking questions of summarize, and analyze as you read.o For honors evaluate this reading as well.

Main Point

We need to absorb information (sponge) and evaluate that information (pan-for-gold) to make an informed decision about who we are, what we believe, and the direction of our lives. We create our reality.