PART ONE The Context

Anyone who wishes to master an activity must first understand its tools and rules. This is as true of critical thinking as it is of golf, carpentry,flying a plane, or brain surgery. In critical thinking ,however,the tools are not material objects but concepts, and the rules govern mental rather than physical performance.

This first section explores seven important concepts—individuality,critical thinking, truth, knowledge, opinion, evidence, and argument—with a chapter devoted to each. Most of these concepts are so familiar that you may be inclined to wonder whether there is any point to examining them. The answer is yes, for these reasons. First,much of what is commonly believed about these concepts is mistaken. Second, who ever examines them carefully is always rewarded with fresh insights. Third,the more thorough your knowledge of these concepts, the more proficient you will be in your thinking.

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