Dr. John Eigenauer (faculty.taftcollege.edu/john-eigenauer) teaches Critical Thinking at Taft College in Taft, CA. A pioneer in the United States in CAAM (Computer-Aided Argument Mapping) [See Martin Davies and Tim van Gelder], Dr. Eigenauer has been teaching CT using CAAM since 2005. He is a recipient of the NISOD Teaching Excellence Award. Phone: 661.763.7722 Address: Taft College
Taft, CA 93268
Much of the current historical debate surrounding the Enlightenment centres on distinctions betwe... more Much of the current historical debate surrounding the Enlightenment centres on distinctions between the Radical and Moderate expressions of this intellectual movement. These debates attempt to judge the degree to which atheism and substance monism define, guide, or influence radical politics. Some intellectual historians support the idea that radical philosophy leads to radical politics; that point, however, is much debated. Jean Meslier's (1664-1729) 1729 Testament would tend to support such a connection between radical philosophy and radical politics. However, two letters that he left at the end of his life addressing his brethren in the priesthood offer a somewhat different perspective. In these letters, never before translated into English, we find different themes: instead of substance monism leading to atheism and driving radical, anti-monarchical, and anti-clerical politics, Meslier's empathy for his parishioners and his desire for truth lead him to suggest modest changes to existing social structures that involve the clergy's active support of the poor. Such a tone would seem to allow for a vision of enlightenment as an activity, as James Schmidt has suggested, promoting truth and justice, rather than one emphasizing irreconcilable philosophical positions.
Ample literature on the instruction of critical thinking in higher education can help colleges an... more Ample literature on the instruction of critical thinking in higher education can help colleges and universities make proper decisions about teaching and assessing critical thinking.
Ample scholarship in the field of critical thinking can provide colleges and universities with gu... more Ample scholarship in the field of critical thinking can provide colleges and universities with guidance regarding how to teach Critical Thinking.
The field of the pedagogy of critical thinking divides critical thinking into two parts: skills a... more The field of the pedagogy of critical thinking divides critical thinking into two parts: skills and dispositions. Some efforts are made to teach critical thinking skills but rarely do schools make concentrated efforts to teach dispositions toward critical thought. After a brief review of the definition of “skills”, I will argue that critical thinking dispositions can and should be taught.
Much of the current historical debate surrounding the Enlightenment centres on distinctions betwe... more Much of the current historical debate surrounding the Enlightenment centres on distinctions between the Radical and Moderate expressions of this intellectual movement. These debates attempt to judge the degree to which atheism and substance monism define, guide, or influence radical politics. Some intellectual historians support the idea that radical philosophy leads to radical politics; that point, however, is much debated. Jean Meslier's (1664-1729) 1729 Testament would tend to support such a connection between radical philosophy and radical politics. However, two letters that he left at the end of his life addressing his brethren in the priesthood offer a somewhat different perspective. In these letters, never before translated into English, we find different themes: instead of substance monism leading to atheism and driving radical, anti-monarchical, and anti-clerical politics, Meslier's empathy for his parishioners and his desire for truth lead him to suggest modest changes to existing social structures that involve the clergy's active support of the poor. Such a tone would seem to allow for a vision of enlightenment as an activity, as James Schmidt has suggested, promoting truth and justice, rather than one emphasizing irreconcilable philosophical positions.
Ample literature on the instruction of critical thinking in higher education can help colleges an... more Ample literature on the instruction of critical thinking in higher education can help colleges and universities make proper decisions about teaching and assessing critical thinking.
Ample scholarship in the field of critical thinking can provide colleges and universities with gu... more Ample scholarship in the field of critical thinking can provide colleges and universities with guidance regarding how to teach Critical Thinking.
The field of the pedagogy of critical thinking divides critical thinking into two parts: skills a... more The field of the pedagogy of critical thinking divides critical thinking into two parts: skills and dispositions. Some efforts are made to teach critical thinking skills but rarely do schools make concentrated efforts to teach dispositions toward critical thought. After a brief review of the definition of “skills”, I will argue that critical thinking dispositions can and should be taught.
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