Critical Thinker Academy: Learn to Think Like a Philosopher (Udemy.com)

How to improve your grades, advance in your job and expand your mind -- by learning how to think for yourself!

( 308 Reviews )

Created by: Kevin deLaplante

Produced in 2021

What you will learn

fundamental concepts of critical thinking (logic, argument analysis, rhetoric, reasoning with probabilities, the importance of background knowledge, etc.)
the importance of critical thinking for personal development, participation in democratic society, and the pursuit of wisdom
the role that critical thinking principles play in good essay writing
how cognitive biases make us prone to errors in how we form beliefs and make judgments
how our tribal psychology and political polarization affect our ability to think critically
how debates in science often turn on the meanings of key terms, like "theory", "fact", "hypothesis" and "law"
and much more!

Quality Score

Content Quality

Video Quality

Qualified Instructor

Course Pace

Course Depth & Coverage

Overall Score : 90 / 100

Course Description

For long-term success in school, business and life, learning HOW to think is far more important than learning WHAT to think. Yet rather than serve as the core of any education worthy of a rational human being, we have relegated the teaching of logic, argument analysis and critical reasoning to specialty courses in universities that reach too few students, too late in their education. In this course I share my growing understanding of these topics, with a focus on what is practically important and useful for developing as independent critical thinkers. Currently the course contains over 200 videos totalling over 19 hours of viewing time! Among the topics you will learn: why critical thinking is importantthe difference between logic and argumentationwhat makes an argument good or badthe importance of background knowledge for critical thinkingtechniques of argument analysis and reconstructionwhat our growing understanding of the human mind tells us about how we actually form beliefs and make decisionshow tribalism and political polarization affect our ability to think criticallyhow scientific debates often turn on the meanings of key terms, like "theory", "law", and "hypothesis"how to reason about chance and uncertaintyhow to write a good argumentative essayhow to cite sources and avoid plagiarism in your writing and much more! This content is drawn from a variety of teaching resources I've developed over the past few years, including a video podcast. It's important for you to know that I am continuing to add videos and course modules on a regular basis. This course will continue to grow and grow -- I have a LOT OF GROUND that I want to cover! This is ONLY THE BEGINNING! Who this course is for:
anyone who thinks that critical thinking is important and would like to learn more about itanyone who is required to think and write argumentativelyanyone interested in the psychology of belief, judgment and persuasionanyone interested in philosophy and who would like to learn more about philosophical ideas and methodsanyone taking a logic or philosophy class who would like to brush up on their basic logic and argumentation skillsanyone interested in scientific debates, or the philosophy of scienceanyone interested in tribalism and contemporary politics

Time: 19h

Instructor Details

Kevin deLaplante

4.5 Rating
308 Reviews

I'm a philosopher of science by training, and I've taught philosophy and critical thinking at the university level for twenty years.
From 2009-2013 I was Chair of the Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies at Iowa State University.
In 2015 I left my tenured academic job to pursue a career as an independent online educator. I produce video tutorial courses on topics in science, philosophy, critical thinking and communication skills.
Ialso do consulting and coaching, and run a membership community dedicated to improving our "Argument Ninja" skills!

Reviews

4.5

308 total reviews

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By Darnell Roberts on 12/20/2020

Prompted

By Janine O'Shea on 11/20/2020

It's bringing different topics together for me

By Samuel Kweku Narteh on 11/18/2020

very Inspiring lecture

By Camila Glock on 11/11/2020

It's a really interesting topic, very well explained and seen from other perspectives that are usually presented when discussing critical thinking

By Ethan Spann on 11/5/2020

Wonderful course. Given today's current internet, social media and political climates, I would say that critical thinking skills are an essential part of maneuvering through the many bits of information that are at our disposal.

By Mateusz Cuchra-Cukrowski on 11/3/2020