30 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living Through Critical Thinking : A Guide for Improving Every Aspect of Your Life, Revised and Expanded

Overview: Better critical thinking can transform your life and help you improve every decision you make! Now, in just 30 days, master specific, easy-to-learn critical thinking techniques that help you cut through lies, gain insight, and make smarter choices in every area of your life -- from work and money to intimate relationships. World-renowned critical thinking experts Dr. Linda Elder and Dr. Richard Paul show how to overcome poor thinking habits caused by self-delusion or out-of-control emotions... clarify what you really want... recognize what you don’t know... ask better questions... resist brainwashing, manipulation, and hypocrisy... critically evaluate what you’re told by advertisers, politicians, your boss, and even your family... avoid worrying, conformism, and blame. Every day, you'll focus on a specific thinking habit, mastering practical strategies for achieving results, tracking your progress, gaining confidence, and getting smarter! Expanded, improved, and easier to use, Discover the Power of Critical Thinking, Revised and Expanded edition offers today's most complete, practical plan for using critical thinking to build a better life. This edition adds five new "days" of critical thinking workouts, delivering even more powerful "life improvement" ideas. Brand-new illustrations and diagrams help you see the direct relevance of critical thinking in your own life, and you'll find a practical new introduction to the authors' Paul-Elder Framework for Critical Thinking, which is now being used by critical thinkers worldwide! “In this book, Linda Elder and Richard Paul provide nothing less than a psychological GPS system for mental clarity. If you’ve ever dreamt about being more effective, more balanced, and more content with life, follow this step-by-step program. It’s amazing!”
—Dr. Joe Luciani, Bestselling Author of Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression

“...the all important skill of learning how to think is still a lost art. This makes the work of Linda Elder and Richard Paul vital to the progress of our democratic society. Buy this book, change your life, and in the process make the world a safer and saner place to live.”
—Dr. Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine; Author of Why People Believe Weird Things

“Critical thinking, the skill so ably taught in this book, is the solution to much of our emotional pain. Our minds are literally creating our lives. And often our minds sabotage us with faulty, distorted thinking. The result: bad choices and emotional disorders. If you want to change your life, it starts with changing how you think; this book will give you the tools.”
—Dr. Matthew McKay, Author of Mind and Emotions

“One of the qualities that sets us apart from thinking creatures of other species is our ability—if we choose to use it—to ‘think about our thinking.’ In this substantial, clear, and easy-to-read book ...readers are offered stimulating descriptions, definitions, principles, and suggestions for understanding and using thinking in effective ways to experience a better quality of life.”
—Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, Psychologist; Coauthor of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

“30 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living Through Critical Thinking is a manifesto for approaching life and relationships assertively, for thinking clearly and fairly, and for uncovering your own biases and vulnerabilities to the persuasive tactics of others—a hands-on approach to helping anyone who wants to see the world around them more fairly and clearly.”
—Dr. Karen E. Dill, Author of How Fantasy Becomes Reality

“This small, easily readable book contains wisdom hard won during the two authors’ dedicated and decades-long efforts to develop and communicate their conception of critical thinking, a conception that has rightly been very influential.”
—Dr. Frank Fair, Sam Houston State University, Managing Editor of INQUIRY: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines

“There is much to gain from reading books written by Linda Elder and Richard Paul. This book carries on their tradition of elevating our thinking into the stratosphere while keeping our feet planted firmly on practical ground.”
—Dr. Don Ambrose, Editor, The Roeper Review

“A comprehensive and effective blueprint for getting one’s thoughts on straight through the application of a proven intellectual concept to the practicalities of daily living. A critical thinking classic.”
—George Hanford, President Emeritus, The College Board

Critical thinking can transform your thinking and improve every part of your life! Now, in just 30 days, you can begin to master specific, easy-to-learn techniques that will help you cut through lies, gain insight, and make smarter choices in every area of your life—from work and money to your most intimate relationships.

World-renowned critical thinking experts Linda Elder and Richard Paul show you how to overcome poor thinking habits caused by self-deception or out-of-control emotions...clarify what you really want...recognize what you don’t know...ask better questions...resist manipulation...and critically evaluate what you’re told by advertisers, politicians, your colleagues, or even your family.

Each day, you’ll focus on a specific critical thinking concept. You will learn practical strategies for bringing powerful ideas into the fabric of your life, into your daily routines. Day by day, you’ll chart your progress—as you move deliberately toward sharper focus, deeper insight, and a more reasonable way of living.

Learn how to think clearly Learn to think for yourself (using disciplined thought)
Don’t let the media brainwash you—and don’t let anyone else do it either Overcome ignorance and hypocrisy Stop being submissive or domineering toward others Look underneath words to unspoken realities Permeate your thinking with relevance, reason, integrity, fairness, and mercy Recognize when questions are calling for facts, preferences, or judgments Take control of your emotional life Get past worrying, conformism, and blame Keep improving your thinking—for the rest of your life!

Introduction Discover your ignorance Strive to be a person of integrity : beware of your own hypocrisy Empathize with others Deliberately target your purposes Be a confirmist : think for yourself Clarify your thinking Be relevant : stick to the point Be reasonable Ask deep questions Distinguish questions of fact, preference and judgment Think through implications Distinguish information from inferences Don?t be fooled by the words people use : look underneath words to Unspoken realities When you think you have arrived as a critical thinker, think again Be fair, not selfish Get control of your emotions Take control of your desires Don't dominate others; don?t be a top-dog Don't be submissive; don?t be an underdog Don't be brainwashed by the news media Carefully choose the ideas you take in from tv, ads, movies and the Internet Don't be bamboozled by politicians Don't be a blamer Don't be righteous: show mercy Vow to spend no time worrying Be a citizen of the world Do something, anything, to help make the world better See your development occurring in stages Educate yourself Figure out where to go from here Appendix glossary.