The Cynic's Sanctuary. Thou shalt not commit logical fallacies. How to be a Brilliant Conversationalist. You probably shy away from some people on social occasions. Their conversations are tedious. You groan inwardly when they approach for you know that they are unremittingly dull company. Equally you may be fortunate enough to know some brilliant conversationalists who can enliven any discussion and who are excellent company whatever the circumstances. In what category would other people place you?
How can you improve your conversational skills to become a welcome sight at every party and social event you attend? Here are some pointers that might help. Ask Questions Most people prefer to talk about themselves rather than hear about you, so asking questions is a great way to start and to refresh conversations. In a group similar considerations apply. Listen Great conversationalists are great listeners. As you listen in a group, observe how people are reacting to the conversation. Give Compliments Pay compliments whenever you sincerely can. Keep up to date on topical issues Be Humorous Enjoy it. How to be a BETTER STRATEGIC Thinker. How To Be Brilliant.
#60 – How to be a free thinker. In the same way a man can be chained to an oak tree, a mind can be chained to an assumption, a religion, a political party, or any idea of any kind. But the idea, like the tree, should not be blamed. They are inanimate things and are good or bad only in how they are used by the living. Instead it is the chain that must be questioned, along with the motivations of people who work to close minds while calling themselves educators. A mind is unique in the world for its infinity of ideas, for it can be used to think about almost anything in a million different ways.
Any act that deliberately confines a mind to a singular way of seeing the world can not be acting for good. Most communities, from families, to schools, to gangs, have ideas members are expected to adopt without question. This doesn’t make them evil, but it doesn’t make them bastions of freedom either. Like the rules to a new board game, we read these rules with our minds at half-power, as our goal is to learn and follow. 10 Ways to Be a Better Thinker. Resources for Independent Thinking. Critical Thinker Resources for Independent Thinking. How to be a Critical Thinker (based on Critical and Creative Thinking by Carole Wade and Carol Tavris) "The philosopher Richard Paul has described there kinds of people: vulgar believers, who use slogans and platitudes to bully those holding different points of view into agreeing with them; sophisticated believers, who are skilled at using intellectual arguments, but only to defend what they already believe; and critical believers, who reason their way to conclusions and are ready to listen to others.
" --Wade and Tavris Definition: "Critical thinking is the ability and willingness to assess claims and make objective judgments on the basis of well-supported reasons. It is the ability to look for flaws in arguments and resist claims that have no supporting evidence. Critical thinking, however, is not merely negative thinking. Guidelines: Ask questions; be willing to wonder.
Define the problem. An inadequate formulation of question can produce misleading or incomplete answers. The Critical Thinker Academy.