In my last post, Artificial Intelligence, I began by listing 15 points that were made about the dangers of AI for the world. I’ve been using ChatGPT as I mentioned and have yet to encounter any of those dangers. Instead I’ve found my little AI buddy to be helpful every time I ask a question, like asking for a recipe for guacamole. (Try it for yourself. Turned out to be an excellent recipe although there’s no guarantee you would get the same one that I got). In doing some research for my next post, I asked ChatGPT a question on critical thinking and have included the entire interaction below:
Me: Can you propose three steps to becoming better at critical thinking?
ChatGPT: Certainly! Developing critical thinking skills is a valuable endeavor that can enhance your decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Here are three steps to help you become better at critical thinking:
- Ask Questions and Seek Understanding:
- Curiosity: Cultivate a curious mindset by asking questions about the information you encounter. Question assumptions, implications, and the reliability of sources. This helps you gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- Clarification: Clarify ambiguous statements or concepts. When faced with complex information, break it down into smaller, more manageable parts. Ensure you have a clear understanding of the key components before forming conclusions.
- Evaluate Evidence: Assess the evidence supporting a claim or argument. Consider the quality, relevance, and reliability of the information. Be open to exploring different perspectives and resist forming judgments without sufficient evidence.
- Practice Active Listening and Effective Communication:
- Active Listening: When engaging in discussions or consuming information, practice active listening. Pay attention to details, ask follow-up questions, and seek to understand the underlying messages. This helps you gather more information and develop a well-rounded perspective.
- Effective Communication: Work on expressing your thoughts clearly and concisely. When presenting your ideas, provide supporting evidence and consider alternative viewpoints. Being able to communicate your thoughts effectively is crucial for engaging in meaningful discussions and refining your own understanding.
- Develop Problem-Solving Skills:
- Identify the Problem: Clearly define the problem or issue at hand. Break it down into its components to better understand its nature and scope.
- Generate Alternatives: Explore multiple perspectives and potential solutions. Encourage creativity in generating alternative ideas. Avoid settling for the first solution that comes to mind; instead, consider different approaches.
- Evaluate and Decide: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each potential solution. Consider the implications and potential outcomes. Make informed decisions based on a balanced analysis of the available information.
Remember that critical thinking is a skill that develops over time through continuous practice and reflection. Challenge yourself to apply these steps in various aspects of your life, whether it’s in academic, professional, or personal contexts. Embrace opportunities for learning and be open to adjusting your thinking based on new information and insights.
End of interaction.
I couldn’t find flaws with any of the response. I’ll leave it to an expert to come up with a better response or to correct any errors made. But with my existing knowledge of thinking and reason, I would judge the response to be of value to anyone to study and become skilful at thinking better.
A bit of advice for using any AI app. Before I made up the guacamole to serve at my party, I did try some first. It was delicious. Use ChatGPT and other AI apps with full awareness of what you’re getting.
I guarantee you that taking on critical thinking is going to take a lot more work than making an avocado dip. The responsibility is yours, not AI’s. Caveat emptor! More to come.
A World of Honour 