5 tips to improve your critical thinking - Samantha Agoos

譯者: Ann Chen 審譯者: Max Chern

Every day, a sea of decisions stretches before us.

每天，無數的抉擇攤在我們面前，

Some are small and unimportant,

有些是芝麻小事，

but others have a larger impact on our lives.

但有些對我們的人生會有較大影響。

For example, which politician should I vote for?

例如：我該投票給那位政治家？

Should I try the latest diet craze?

我該試試最新的熱門減肥餐嗎？

Or will email make me a millionaire?

或電子郵件會讓我成為百萬富翁嗎？

We're bombarded with so many decisions

我們不斷受到那麼多抉擇的轟炸，

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

致使無法每次都作出最適當的選擇。

But there are many ways to improve our chances,

但有許多方式可提高這可能性，

and one particularly effective technique is critical thinking.

一個非常有效的技巧， 就是「明辨性思維」。

This is a way of approaching a question

這是一種處理問題的方法，

that allows us to carefully deconstruct a situation,

讓我們能仔細地解析狀況、

reveal its hidden issues, such as bias and manipulation,

揭露其潛藏的問題── 例如偏見及操弄，

and make the best decision.

從而作出最好的決定。

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

如果「明辨」感覺很負面， 從一方面來看它是如此。

Rather than choosing an answer because it feels right,

不同於因為「感覺對」 而選擇那個答案，

a person who uses critical thinking

一位運用明辨性思維的人，

subjects all available options to scrutiny and skepticism.

會察看所有可行的選項， 而後加以詳察與質疑。

Using the tools at their disposal,

運用這可掌握的工具，

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

可去蕪存菁， 只留下最有用的及可信的資訊。

There are many different ways of approaching critical thinking,

要做到明辨性思維有許多的方式，

but here's one five-step process

但以下五個步驟，

that may help you solve any number of problems.

可協助你解決不少的問題。

One: formulate your question.

一、有系統地提出問題：

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

也就是說，知道你在尋找什麼，

This isn't always as straightforward as it sounds.

這並不總是像聽到的那麼簡單。

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

例如，如果你正在決定 要不要嘗試最新熱門減肥餐，

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

你要嘗試的理由 可能是被其他因素掩蓋了，

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

例如，它宣稱在兩週之內 你就可看到成效。

But if you approach the situation

假如你處理這種狀況，

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

有一個清晰的概念 知道你減肥真正想達到的目的，

whether that's weight loss,

不管是不是減重、

better nutrition,

較好的營養

or having more energy,

或是精力更充沛，

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

如此將使你具備有 審慎地篩選資訊的能力，

find what you're looking for,

找到你所需要的資料，

and decide whether the new fad really suits your needs.

然後決定這個新時尚 是否真的吻合你的需求。

Two: gather your information.

二、收集資訊：

There's lots of it out there,

現在隨處都有許多資訊，

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

所以清楚了解你的問題， 有助於決定哪些是相關資料。

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

如果你正試著選擇 一種改善你營養的食譜，

you may ask an expert for their advice,

你可請教專家的建議，

or seek other people's testimonies.

或是尋找其他人的見證，

Information gathering helps you weigh different options,

資訊匯集可協助你衡量不同的選擇，

moving you closer to a decision that meets your goal.

讓你更貼近符合你目標的決定。

Three: apply the information,

三、應用資訊：

something you do by asking critical questions.

藉著問些重要問題來進行。

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

面對選擇時，問自己： 「我用什麼概念做選擇？」

"What assumptions exist?"

「會有哪些假設？」

"Is my interpretation of the information logically sound?"

「我對這些資訊的理解合不合理？」

For example, in an email that promises you millions,

例如，一封郵件承諾給你上百萬元，

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

你需要細想：「有那些因素 影響我處理這個情況？」

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

「我認定寄件人說實話了嗎？」

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

「根據現有的證據， 『我會得到錢』這事合理嗎？」

Four: consider the implications.

四、考慮所帶來的影響：

Imagine it's election time,

想像現在是競選時期，

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

根據他們的政治承諾， 你已選定一位候選人，

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

他保證汽車駕駛人加油會更便宜。

At first glance, that seems great.

乍看之下，太棒了！

But what about the long-term environmental effects?

但長期對環境影響會怎樣？

If gasoline use is less restricted by cost,

如果因油價 致使汽油使用受限變更少，

this could also cause a huge surge in air pollution,

這會導致空氣汚染急速加重，

an unintended consequence that's important to think about.

這非預期的後果需要慎重考慮。

Five: explore other points of view.

五、研究其他的觀點：

Ask yourself why so many people are drawn

問自己，為何那麼多人

to the policies of the opposing political candidate.

支持反對黨候選人的政策。

Even if you disagree with everything that candidate says,

雖然你對那位候選人 的各種說詞都不贊同，

exploring the full spectrum of viewpoints

但探討他各方面的觀點，

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

也許能解釋你不認同的政見， 為何其他人會認同。

This will allow you to explore alternatives,

這讓你去研究其他的選擇，

evaluate your own choices,

同時也評估你自己的，

and ultimately help you make more informed decisions.

最後協助你做出更合理的決定。

This five-step process is just one tool,

這五個步驟只是個工具，

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

它當然無法完全免除 生活中困難的決定，

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

但它可以增加我們所做的正確選擇。

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

明辨性思維讓我們有能力 在瀚浩如海的資訊中搜尋，

and find what we're looking for.

找到我們所需要的。

And if enough of us use it,

如果夠多人運用它，

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

它有會使世界變得更合乎情理的力量。

註：「明辨性思維」即 慎思明辨

翻譯：Ann Chen