2017 Chris L Peterson Is Your Ox Being Gored The Earth isnt warming If the Earth is warming it isnt caused by humans Vaccines cause autism or are otherwise unsafe Cellphones cause cancer ID: 594740
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Slide1
Thinking Critically
©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide2
Is Your Ox Being Gored?
The Earth isn’t warming
If the Earth is warming, it isn’t caused by humansVaccines cause autism, or are otherwise unsafeCellphones cause cancerLiving near power lines or cell towers is harmfulIntelligent design / creation scienceAcupuncture / homeopathy / chiropractic / detoxification / naturopathyDowsing / witchingOrganic foods are healthier than conventional foodsGluten sensitivity is commonGMOs are unhealthy or harmfulObjectively false beliefs:©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide3
Are you willing to honestly evaluate your beliefs?
Are you willing to change your mind?
©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide4
Epistemology
/əˌpistəˈmäləjē
/noun PHILOSOPHYthe theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion.©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide5
Epistemology
Evidence-based: belief is based on the relative weight of objective evidence
Faith-based: belief is based on indoctrinated ideas, on the acceptance of ideas from trusted parties, on dogma©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide6
You cannot accurately assess news if you can’t think critically.
Critical thinking is a learned skill!
©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide7
Be skeptical.
Skepticism isn’t doubt, but an
openess to changing your beliefs.©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide8
Weigh objective evidence.
Belief isn’t binary. Better evidence warrants stronger belief.
©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide9
Respect expert opinion.
Respect expert consensus.
©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide10
Cognitive Biases
Confirmation bias
Belief biasBackfire effect (denialism)Bandwagon effectReactanceAuthority biasIllusion of truth effect©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide11
Logical Fallacies
Argument from ignorance
Slippery slopeBlack-or-whiteFalse causeAd hominemAppeal to authorityShifting the burden of proofCherry pickingTu quoque©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide12
Graphical Data
©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide13
Graphical Data
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Graphical Data
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Graphical Data
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Correlation
vs.
Causation©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide17
Consider Sources
©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide18
Fact Checking
Is the source real and reputable?
Read the story!Check out the authorLook at quotes; check themRead commentsCheck sourcesLook for independent accountsDoes the data make sense?Be aware of your biasesUse experts: Snopes, FactCheck, PolitiFact, WP Fact Checker, MediaBiasFactCheck©2017 Chris L PetersonSlide19
©2017 Chris L Peterson