TED演讲:提高批判性思维的5个窍门(2)

 　　Two: gather your information. 第二：搜集信息。

　　There's lots of it out there, so having a clear idea of your question will help you determine what's relevant. 信息无所不在，所以明晰问题可以帮你决定哪些信息是有用的。

　　If you're trying to decide on a diet to improve your nutrition, you may ask an expert for their advice, or seek other people's testimonies¹. 如果你想通过饮食方式来摄取更多营养，你可以咨询下营养师，或是向他人寻求经验。

　　Information gathering² helps you weigh different options, moving you closer to a decision that meets your goal. 搜集信息帮助你权衡不同方案，使你做出更接近目标的决定。

　　Three: apply the information, something you do by asking critical questions. 第三：运用信息，可以通过问关键性问题对信息加以运用。

　　Facing a decision, ask yourself, "What concepts are at work?" 面对一个选择时，问问自己“哪些概念要用到？”

　　"What assumptions exist?" “存在几种假设？”

　　"Is my interpretation³ of the information logically sound?" “我对信息的解读符合逻辑吗？”

　　For example, in an email that promises you millions, you should consider, 比如，一个邮件声称能让你成为百万富翁，你可以考虑下面几个问题：

　　"What is shaping my approach to this situation?" “什么因素决定我对此做出判断？”

　　"Do I assume the sender is telling the truth?" “我认为发件人说的是实话吗？”

　　"Based on the evidence, is it logical to assume I'll win any money?" “从现实来看，我有可能赢钱吗？”

　　Four: consider the implications. 第四，考虑后果及影响。

　　Imagine it's election time, and you've selected a political candidate based on their promise to make it cheaper for drivers to fill up on gas. 想象一下现在是大选期，你选择支持一个候选人是因为他承诺要让汽油更便宜。

　　At first glance, that seems great. But what about the long-term environmental effects? 初听上去还不错。但长期来讲会对环境造成什么影响？

　　If gasoline use is less restricted by cost, this could also cause a huge surge in air pollution, 如果不用高价限制汽油的使用，大气污染将变得极其严重，

　　an unintended consequence that's important to think about. 而这是必须考虑的一个意外后果。

　　Five: explore other points of view. 第五：了解其他观点。

　　Ask yourself why so many people are drawn⁴ to the policies of the opposing political candidate. 问问自己为什么那么多人被对方候选人政策吸引。

　　Even if you disagree with everything that candidate says, 即使你一点都不认同那个候选人所说的，

　　exploring the full spectrum⁵ of viewpoints might explain why some policies that don't seem valid⁶ to you appeal to others. 你也要探究他的一系列观点，弄清楚为什么他的政策你觉得没用，但别人喜欢。

　　This will allow you to explore alternatives, evaluate your own choices, and ultimately help you make more informed decisions. 这就让你能进一步探究其他选择，衡量你自己的选项，最后做出更好的决定。

　　This five-step process is just one tool, and it certainly won't eradicate⁷ difficult decisions from our lives. 这五个步骤仅仅是工具，也不可能完全解决我们所面对的难题。

　　But it can help us increase the number of positive choices we make. 但却可以帮我们做出更多更好的决定。

　　Critical thinking can give us the tools to sift⁸ through a sea of information and find what we're looking for. 批判性思维方式能帮我们筛选信息，找到我们真正想要的。

　　And if enough of us use it, it has the power to make the world a more reasonable place. 而且如果更多的人具备批判性思维的能力，这个世界将变得更加理性。

1 testimonies   

（法庭上证人的）证词( testimony的名词复数 )； 证明，证据

参考例句：

• Davie poured forth his eloquence upon the controversies and testimonies of the day. 戴维向他滔滔不绝地谈那些当时有争论的问题和上帝的箴言。
• Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. 22求你除掉我所受的羞辱和藐视，因我遵守你的法度。

2 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

3 interpretation   

n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理

参考例句：

• His statement admits of one interpretation only.他的话只有一种解释。
• Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.分析与说明是个很主观的事情。

4 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

5 spectrum   

n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列

参考例句：

• This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
• We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。

6 valid   

adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的

参考例句：

• His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
• Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗？

7 eradicate   

v.根除，消灭，杜绝

参考例句：

• These insects are very difficult to eradicate.这些昆虫很难根除。
• They are already battling to eradicate illnesses such as malaria and tetanus.他们已经在努力消灭疟疾、破伤风等疾病。

8 sift   

v.筛撒，纷落，详察

参考例句：

• Sift out the wheat from the chaff.把小麦的壳筛出来。
• Sift sugar on top of the cake.在蛋糕上面撒上糖。