Book Description

"Critical Thinking.com is bound to raise a few hackles. It takes on two major thought-clichés of today ́s world: first, that critical thinking is the ultimate form of thinking and that we know what it is when we encounter it; and, second, that the Internet promises us a brave new world of virtual literacy that will not only replace traditional literacy but improve it. Partly philosophical, partly practical, partly pedagogical, Critical Thinking.com is mostly a refreshing look at the interaction of knowledge production and technology. It is smart, more than a little daring, and probably will make you think a little differently about some of the things you thought you knew ̃ -- Gerald Early (Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters. Washington University) "Critical thinking has been oversold as a cure for ignorance and apathy. Myron Tuman exposes the shallowness of the conventional recipes and provides a good thing instead--a book of incisive distinctions, captivating material, and provocative reflections. It is bound to leave the reader a more thoughtful person." -- Albert Borgmann (Department of Philosophy. The University of Montana) Table of ContentPrologue: “Critical Thinking for Dummies” - - - - 9 Chapter 1 Thinking Critically (about Critical Thinking) - - - - 13 “Critical” Questions Analysis or Reflection—Which One Is Critical? Analysis and Progress A Cautionary Conclusion about Critical Thinking Seven Elements of Critical Thinking as Reflection Coda: Descartes and Questioning Chapter 2 - - - - 39 Finding and Evaluating Web Content The Open Web The Invisible Web The Gated Web Libraries and Web Access Facts, Commentary, and Experts Hot Topics and Emily Dickinson Summary: Stephen King on the Web Coda: Stephen King for Free! Chapter 3 - - - - 73 News and Reflection The Two Sides of Thomas Jefferson Internal and External Clues More on Authority News on the Web Plato and Rushkoff Coda: Cold Fusion Chapter 4 - - - - 99 The End of Books and Libraries? What Is a Book? What Does It Mean to Read? Two Models of Libraries Libraries Without Walls, Libraries Without Books Coda: Books, Libraries, and Marshall McLuhan Chapter 5 - - - - 121 The “Free” World of the Web The First Freedom: Expression The Second Freedom: Information The Third Freedom: Association Defining Community Coda: Thomas Jefferson Revisited Chapter 6 - - - - 143 Grassroots and Astroturf Promotion, Top-Down and Bottom-Up Grassroots and Astroturf Selling with Buzz Coda: Swag and Fan Empowerment Chapter 7 - - - - 156 Passion, Identity, and Censorship Identity Politics Hate Groups, the Dark Side of Identity Politics The Appeal of Censorship Critical Thinking and Taboos Coda: Edgar Allen Poe’s “Purloined Letter” Chapter 8 - - - - 182 The Elements of Guile Stories as Subversion The Foolish Physics Professor The Comic as Subversive This American Life Coda: Chief Seattle, Another Populist Tale Epilogue Feeling the World - - - - 199 Index