How To Think: A Complete Guide to Analytical Thinking for the Oxford Centre for the Mind
How can we decide whether a particular set of facts leads to a particular conclusion?
How should we decide what is the best option when we have to choose between different courses of action?
How can we determine what is true and what is not? What is right and what is wrong?
How should we determine what is the best explanation for a particular set of facts?
To answer these questions we need to think clearly and accurately.
Unfortunately, we are all capable of making mistakes when we think. Sometimes these mistakes are errors of logic and can be eliminated with a better understanding of the logical structure of reasoning. Sometimes they are mistakes deeply rooted in our psychology and becoming familiar with these limitations on our rationality will help us to avoid them.
Developing your analytical thinking skills will help improve your ability to assess situations, make better decisions, and avoid mistakes. It is also one of the elements that will improve your ability to persuade other people to adopt your point of view.
Analytical thinking is a vital tool for those in business. Being able to analyse any situation clearly and effectively will ensure that you make better decisions.
Analytical thinking is essential for those still in education. Being able to think clearly will improve the quality of your work.
How to Think is a step-by-step guide to thinking about problems both large and small, covering all the essential elements of good analytical thinking from different types of claims and beliefs, via argument structure, fallacies and cognitive biases to sound conclusions and consequences as well as how to compare arguments and the best state of mind to consider problems.