5 tips to improve your critical thinking - Samantha Agoos

翻译人员: Irene Jin 校对人员: Zhuo Wang

Every day, a sea of decisions stretches before us.

无时不刻，我们都在做各种各样的决定，

Some are small and unimportant,

有些微不足道，

but others have a larger impact on our lives.

有些则对我们的一生都有很大影响。

For example, which politician should I vote for?

比如说，我该投票给哪个政客？

Should I try the latest diet craze?

要不要试试最新的减肥食谱？

Or will email make me a millionaire?

或是，这封电邮会让我成为百万富翁吗？

We're bombarded with so many decisions

我们被大量的决定围攻着，

that it's impossible to make a perfect choice every time.

很多时候都没法做出最好的决定。

But there are many ways to improve our chances,

但还有很多提高正确几率方法，

and one particularly effective technique is critical thinking.

其中最有效的方法之一就是 批判性思维，

This is a way of approaching a question

这种解决问题的思维方式，

that allows us to carefully deconstruct a situation,

能让我们更仔细地分析形势，

reveal its hidden issues, such as bias and manipulation,

发现隐藏的问题，比如一些偏见和操纵，

and make the best decision.

并作出更好的选择。

If the critical part sounds negative that's because in a way it is.

如果你觉得“批判性”有点儿否定意味， 那正说明它在起作用。

Rather than choosing an answer because it feels right,

一个具有批判性思维的人，

a person who uses critical thinking

不会因为哪个听起来不错就选哪个，

subjects all available options to scrutiny and skepticism.

而会仔细审查每一个选择，并抱有怀疑态度。

Using the tools at their disposal,

他们会用一切手段排除其他选项

they'll eliminate everything but the most useful and reliable information.

只留下最有用最有用、最值得信赖的信息。

There are many different ways of approaching critical thinking,

有很多运用批判性思维的方法，

but here's one five-step process

这里讲的方法，只需五步，

that may help you solve any number of problems.

可以帮你解决各种问题。

One: formulate your question.

第一：明确你的问题。

In other words, know what you're looking for.

换句话说，知道你想要什么

This isn't always as straightforward as it sounds.

这有时并不如想象中的直接

For example, if you're deciding whether to try out the newest diet craze,

比如说，你在考虑尝试最近流行的饮食方法，

your reasons for doing so may be obscured by other factors,

这种方法声称”两周内就能看到效果”

like claims that you'll see results in just two weeks.

你的初衷可能被其它因素而遮盖

But if you approach the situation

但如果你面对选择时 有更明晰的观点

with a clear view of what you're actually trying to accomplish by dieting,

你真正想要通过这个饮食方法达到什么效果——

whether that's weight loss,

为了减重也好，

better nutrition,

为了更均衡的营养也好，

or having more energy,

或是为了更有活力，

that'll equip you to sift through this information critically,

就使你更批判地筛选信息，

find what you're looking for,

从而找到你真正想要的答案，

and decide whether the new fad really suits your needs.

决定这个点子是否能真正符合你的需要。

Two: gather your information.

第二：搜集信息。

There's lots of it out there,

信息无所不在，

so having a clear idea of your question will help you determine what's relevant.

所以明晰你的问题 可以帮你决定哪些信息是有用的。

If you're trying to decide on a diet to improve your nutrition,

如果你想通过饮食方式来摄取更多营养，

you may ask an expert for their advice,

你可以咨询下营养师，

or seek other people's testimonies.

或是向他人寻求经验。

Information gathering helps you weigh different options,

搜集帮助你权衡不同方案，

moving you closer to a decision that meets your goal.

使你做出更接近目标的决定。

Three: apply the information,

第三：运用信息，

something you do by asking critical questions.

可以通过问关键性问题对信息加以运用

Facing a decision, ask yourself, "What concepts are at work?"

面对一个选择时，问问自己 “哪些概念要用到？”

"What assumptions exist?"

“存在几种假设？”

"Is my interpretation of the information logically sound?"

“我对信息的解读符合逻辑吗？”

For example, in an email that promises you millions,

比如，一个邮件声称能让你成为百万富翁，

you should consider, "What is shaping my approach to this situation?"

你可以考虑下面几个问题： “什么因素决定我对此做出判断？”

"Do I assume the sender is telling the truth?"

“我认为发件人说的是实话吗？”

"Based on the evidence, is it logical to assume I'll win any money?"

“从现实来看，我有可能赢钱吗？”

Four: consider the implications.

第四，考虑后果及影响。

Imagine it's election time,

想象一下现在是大选期，

and you've selected a political candidate based on their promise

你选择支持一个候选人

to make it cheaper for drivers to fill up on gas.

是因为他承诺 要让汽油更便宜。

At first glance, that seems great.

初听上去还不错。

But what about the long-term environmental effects?

但长期来讲会对环境造成什么影响？

If gasoline use is less restricted by cost,

如果不用高价限制汽油的使用，

this could also cause a huge surge in air pollution,

大气污染将变得极其严重，

an unintended consequence that's important to think about.

而这是必须考虑的一个意外后果。

Five: explore other points of view.

第五：了解其他观点。

Ask yourself why so many people are drawn

问问自己为什么那么多人被

to the policies of the opposing political candidate.

对方候选人政策吸引。

Even if you disagree with everything that candidate says,

即使你一点都不认同那个候选人所说的，

exploring the full spectrum of viewpoints

你也要探究他的一系列观点，

might explain why some policies that don't seem valid to you appeal to others.

弄清楚为什么他的政策你觉得没用，但别人喜欢。

This will allow you to explore alternatives,

你就让你能进一步探究其他选择，

evaluate your own choices,

衡量你自己的选项，

and ultimately help you make more informed decisions.

最后做出更好的决定。

This five-step process is just one tool,

这五个步骤仅仅是工具，

and it certainly won't eradicate difficult decisions from our lives.

也不可能完全消除我们所面对的难题。

But it can help us increase the number of positive choices we make.

但却可以帮我们做出更多更好的决定

Critical thinking can give us the tools to sift through a sea of information

批判性思维方式能帮我们筛选信息，

and find what we're looking for.

找到我们真正想要的

And if enough of us use it,

而且如果更多的人具备批判性思维的能力，

it has the power to make the world a more reasonable place.

这个世界将变得更加理性。