Critical & Analytical Thinking

A Holistic Approach to Logical Reasoning, Structured Problem-Solving & Decision-Making

Critical & Analytical Thinking: Book by A.S. Prasad & shailja Agarwal | Cengage

Critical and Analytical Thinking Book Cover

About This Book

This book provides a clear, domain-independent framework that guides you through any complex problem or decision—step-by-step. It presents a holistic approach that integrates critical thinking skills with structured frameworks for reliable, evidence-based outcomes.

The Core: Two Action-Oriented Frameworks

1. Problem-Solving Framework

  1. Problem → Definition and clarification
  2. Hypothesis → Potential explanations
  3. Evidence → Data collection and evaluation
  4. Analysis → Root cause identification
  5. Solution → Development and selection
  6. Implementation → Planning and execution

With built-in checks for: Assumptions, Implications, Stakeholders, and Risks.

2. Decision-Making Framework

  1. Decision Statement → Clear definition
  2. Options → Alternative generation
  3. Criteria → Evaluation standards
  4. Evidence → Relevant data gathering
  5. Analysis → Systematic comparison
  6. Final Choice → Optimal selection

Followed by the same rigorous steps of checking for assumptions, implications, stakeholder views, implementation plan and risks.

The Depth: The Critical Thinking Toolkit

To execute the frameworks without bias or error, the book builds your foundational skills of critical thinking:

Logical Reasoning

Deductive, inductive, and causal reasoning techniques for structured argument analysis.

Credibility & Evidence

How to evaluate credibility of claims, sources and arguments with systematic criteria.

Moral Reasoning

Developing understanding of various perspectives in moral reasoning and their application.

Navigating Obstacles

How to recognize and counter linguistic obstacles, rhetorical devices, logical fallacies, and cognitive biases.

The Holistic Approach

This is not a collection of disjointed concepts. The frameworks give you the process, and the toolkit sharpens the quality of thinking you apply during the process of making decisions and solving problems. This integrated approach ensures that critical thinking becomes a reliable, repeatable skill rather than an abstract concept.

Who It's For

While structured as a textbook, this book is a valuable resource for:

  • Critical Thinking courses in colleges and universities
  • Large corporations and consulting companies running induction/training programs
  • MBA colleges teaching case study analysis
  • Students tackling complex assignments with clarity and rigour
  • GRE/GMAT/CLAT aspirants and Watson Glaser test preparation
  • Educators seeking a teachable, comprehensive methodology
  • Professionals seeking to systematically learn critical thinking
  • Any thoughtful person aiming to cut through complexity

About the Authors

A.S. Prasad 

Developed the critical thinking frameworks presented in this book. A management graduate from IIM Ahmedabad with a background in corporate and SME leadership roles, he has developed critical thinking courses in 2013 and has been teaching these concepts and frameworks as a visiting faculty at premier institutions such as IMT, IIM Rohtak, NIFT, and several others. Over the past decade, he has delivered critical thinking workshops for senior executives at companies like Amazon, HCL, McCormick, Zinnov Consulting, YUJ Designs, Molex, and others.

Prof. Shailja Agarwal 

Chair, Business Communications, IMT Ghaziabad. Prof. Shailja contributed case studies and extensivel supported the academic adaptation of the material into textbook form, drawing on her deep educational expertise.

This book presents the holistic critical thinking system that Prasad has created, taught, and refined through his teaching and training.

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Start mastering structured problem-solving and decision-making with this comprehensive guide.

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Complete Table of Contents

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