CommunicatingCommunicating withwith OthersOthers

By:By:

Rachel ReiterRachel Reiter

What Makes Up a Critical Thinker?What Makes Up a Critical Thinker?

They could be WrongThey could be Wrong They can change his or her mindThey can change his or her mind They are never completely, 100%,They are never completely, 100%,

sure of anythingsure of anything They are always growing and They are always growing and

learninglearning

Chapter One’s Three Main Chapter One’s Three Main TopicsTopics

Communication Communication - understand the - understand the influence of communication.influence of communication.

Truth vs. ValidityTruth vs. Validity – understand the – understand the difference between what is true and difference between what is true and what is valid.what is valid.

The Continuum of CertaintyThe Continuum of Certainty – We – We make decisions based on how sure make decisions based on how sure we are of the conclusion. we are of the conclusion.

CCoommmmuunniiccaattiioonn The imperfections of the communication The imperfections of the communication

process, influence our critical thinking and process, influence our critical thinking and decision making processdecision making process

Have you even been in conflict?Have you even been in conflict? Were there multiple sides to one story?Were there multiple sides to one story? Think back to that moment and ask Think back to that moment and ask

yourself these questionsyourself these questions::• What is communication?What is communication?• When does it take place?When does it take place?• Who is responsible when communication Who is responsible when communication

breaks down?breaks down?

TruthTruth

What is Truth?What is Truth?• Truth is the complete accuracy of Truth is the complete accuracy of

whatever was, is, or will be error-proof, whatever was, is, or will be error-proof, beyond doubt, dispute of debate, a final beyond doubt, dispute of debate, a final test of right or wrong of people’s ideas test of right or wrong of people’s ideas and beliefs.and beliefs.

Two Concepts of TruthTwo Concepts of Truth• Truth with the capital “Truth with the capital “TT””

• Truth with the small “Truth with the small “tt””

Truth with the Truth with the SmallSmall “ “tt””

Ultimate accurate Ultimate accurate position on a situation position on a situation or interpretation of an or interpretation of an event.event.

There is only one Truth There is only one Truth to a situation and all to a situation and all other explanations or other explanations or understandings are understandings are incorrect.incorrect.

What someone What someone believes as being the believes as being the only answer to a only answer to a situation or only situation or only interpretation of an interpretation of an event.event.

Everyone can have Everyone can have their own truth in their own truth in every situation.every situation.

Truth with the Truth with the CapitalCapital “ “TT””

ValidityValidity Critical Thinkers:Critical Thinkers:

• Do NOT Rely on TruthDo NOT Rely on Truth• Use the concept of validity to make decisions and Use the concept of validity to make decisions and

maintain positions in argumentsmaintain positions in arguments Validity is a Measurement of how sure we are of Validity is a Measurement of how sure we are of

any situation.any situation. Given information we are conscious of, validity Given information we are conscious of, validity

measures how certain we are of our decision.measures how certain we are of our decision. Based on what you know about a situation, you Based on what you know about a situation, you

draw the most reasonable conclusion.draw the most reasonable conclusion. This is very different than the Truth of situation.This is very different than the Truth of situation.

The Differences BetweenThe Differences Between TruthTruth andand ValidityValidity

Where there is only one Truth, there Where there is only one Truth, there can be many reasonable positions.can be many reasonable positions.

Where Truth is absolute and can Where Truth is absolute and can never change, new more valid never change, new more valid positions are created with the positions are created with the discovery of new evidence.discovery of new evidence.

The Differences BetweenThe Differences Between TruthTruth andand ValidityValidity

Where truth is created internally and is a Where truth is created internally and is a part of our self esteem, validity is based part of our self esteem, validity is based on external information and so it is okay to on external information and so it is okay to change our minds when new evidence is change our minds when new evidence is presented.presented.

Understanding the difference between Understanding the difference between Truth and Validity are crucial to becoming Truth and Validity are crucial to becoming a critical thinker.a critical thinker.

Critical thinkers use validity to make Critical thinkers use validity to make decisions, decisions, notnot Truth. Truth.

The Continuum of Certainty The Continuum of Certainty and Thresholdand Threshold

The Continuum of Certainty is simply a The Continuum of Certainty is simply a measurement of validity.measurement of validity.

Think of a straight line. At one end of the Think of a straight line. At one end of the line the argument has no validity, while at line the argument has no validity, while at the other end the argument is 100% valid.the other end the argument is 100% valid.

Interpretation of the Continuum of Interpretation of the Continuum of CertaintyCertainty

The more you move towards the right, the more The more you move towards the right, the more certain you are of your belief.certain you are of your belief.

A threshold is that specific location on the A threshold is that specific location on the continuum of Certainty where we accept the continuum of Certainty where we accept the argument. It is now “valid enough” to be argument. It is now “valid enough” to be accepted.accepted.

Understanding the Understanding the Continuum of CertaintyContinuum of Certainty

Crucial to being a critical thinkerCrucial to being a critical thinker It is this understanding that allows us It is this understanding that allows us

to comprehend just how certain we to comprehend just how certain we are of something.are of something.

Since there are very few things you Since there are very few things you might feel absolutely sure of, there is might feel absolutely sure of, there is always some doubt.always some doubt.

How sure do you have to be to act or How sure do you have to be to act or make a decision?make a decision?

Real World ExampleReal World Example

Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee are to testify about steroid use. are to testify about steroid use. Clemens says he has never used Clemens says he has never used steroids while McNamee says he steroids while McNamee says he injected Clemens with steroids. injected Clemens with steroids. Congress is not seeking the truth but Congress is not seeking the truth but instead is looking to find who’s instead is looking to find who’s argument is more valid. argument is more valid.

ConclusionConclusion Communication is important in the way we Communication is important in the way we

understand what is true and what is valid. understand what is true and what is valid. Different perspectives need to be taken into Different perspectives need to be taken into account and understood before analyzing truth account and understood before analyzing truth and validity.and validity.

Truth is questioned whereas validity Truth is questioned whereas validity can change and can be uncertain. can change and can be uncertain. Critical thinkers use validityCritical thinkers use validity

There is a continuum of validity. There is a continuum of validity. Something can be 0% valid all the Something can be 0% valid all the way to 100% valid.way to 100% valid.