Contents Preface Chapter1:The Benefit of Asking the Right Questions Introduction Critical Thinking to the Rescue The Sponge and Panning for Gold: Alternative Thinking Styles An Example of the Panning-for-Gold Approach Panning for Gold: Asking Critical Questions The Myth of the ''Right Answer'' The Usefulness of Asking the Question, ''Who Cares?'' Weak-Sense and Strong-Sense Critical Thinking The Satisfaction of Using the Panning-for-Gold Approach Effective Communication and Critical Thinking The Importance of Practice The Right Questions Chapter 2: Critical Thinking Is a Social Activity Values and Other People The Primary Values of a Critical Thinker Thinking and Feelings Keeping the Conversation Going Avoiding the Dangers of Groupthink Chapter3:What Are the Issue and the Conclusion? Kinds of Issues Searching for the Issue Searching for the Author's or Speaker's Conclusion Clues to Discovery: How to Find the Conclusion Critical Thinking and Your Own Writing and Speaking n