Three compelling reasons to learn critical thinking
The case for learning Critical thinking is strong. Ignoring it leaves us vulnerable to fallacies, cognitive biases and poor reasoning, which in turn lead to poor team decisions and less than optimal outcomes.
1. Its all about reasoning
Our skills in logical reasoning determines how good we are at decision making, problem solving and developing logically persuasive communication - and these skills are critical in all functional domains. Logical reasoning is not natural to us. it’s a learnt skill built on a body of knowledge.
2. Our perceptions are biased
Our perceptions are imperfect, and we have many cognitive biases that we aren't aware of, or educated about. As a result our decisions are based on incorrect judgments and poor inferences arising from our cognitive biases. A knowledge of cognitive biases helps us to guard against them, and some of these biases are tools that can be used in sales, marketing, HR and negotiations of all kinds.
3. About logical reasoning VS, emotion and moral judgment
Often attempts are made to persuade us by playing on our emotions using a wide range of rhetorical devices. Also we often we need to make moral judgments in the workplace of what's right and wrong. A knowledge of rhetoric, rhetorical devices and a perspective on moral reasoning helps us in being rational and logical even when appeals to emotion or moral judgments are made.