TED演讲:提高批判性思维的5个窍门(1)

 　　Every day, a sea of decisions stretches before us. 我们无时不刻都在做各种各样的决定。

　　Some are small and unimportant, but others have a larger impact on our lives. 有些微不足道，有些却会对我们的生活造成很大影响。

　　For example, which politician should I vote for? 比如说，我该投票给哪个政客？

　　Should I try the latest diet craze? Or will email make me a millionaire? 要不要试试最新的减肥食谱？或是这封电邮会让我成为百万富翁吗？

　　We're bombarded with so many decisions that it's impossible to make a perfect choice every time. 我们被大量的决定围攻着，很多时候没法做出最好的决定。

　　But there are many ways to improve our chances, and one particularly effective technique is critical thinking. 但有很多提高正确几率的方法，其中最有效的方法就是批判性思维。

　　This is a way of approaching a question that allows us to carefully deconstruct a situation, 这种解决问题的思维方式，能让我们更仔细地分析形势，

　　reveal its hidden issues, such as bias¹ and manipulation, and make the best decision. 发现隐藏的问题，比如一些偏见和操纵，并作出更好的选择。

　　If the critical part sounds negative that's because in a way it is. 如果你觉得“批判性”有点儿否定意味，那正说明它在起作用。

　　Rather than choosing an answer because it feels right, 一个具有批判性思维的人，

　　a person who uses critical thinking subjects all available options to scrutiny² and skepticism. 不会因为哪个听起来不错就选哪个，而会仔细审查每一个选择，并抱有怀疑态度。

　　Using the tools at their disposal, they'll eliminate everything but the most useful and reliable information. 他们会用一切手段排除其他选项，只留下最有用、最值得信赖的信息。

　　There are many different ways of approaching critical thinking, 运用批判性思维的方法有很多，

　　but here's one five-step process that may help you solve any number of problems. 这里讲的方法只需五步，就可以帮你解决各种问题。

　　One: formulate³ your question. In other words, know what you're looking for. 第一：明确你的问题。换句话说，知道你想要什么。

　　This isn't always as straightforward⁴ as it sounds. 这有时并不如想象中的直接。

　　For example, if you're deciding whether to try out the newest diet craze, 比如说，你在考虑尝试最近流行的饮食方法，

　　your reasons for doing so may be obscured by other factors, like claims that you'll see results in just two weeks. 声称“两周内就能看到效果”，你的初衷可能被其它因素而遮盖。

　　But if you approach the situation with a clear view of what you're actually trying to accomplish by dieting, 比如说，你在考虑尝试最近流行的饮食方法，

　　whether that's weight loss, better nutrition, or having more energy, that'll equip you to sift⁵ through this information critically, 为了减重也好，为了更均衡的营养也好，或是为了更有活力，就使你更批判地筛选信息，

　　find what you're looking for, and decide whether the new fad⁶ really suits your needs. 从而找到你真正想要的答案，决定这个点子是否能真正符合你的需要。

1 bias   

n.偏见，偏心，偏袒；vt.使有偏见

参考例句：

• They are accusing the teacher of political bias in his marking.他们在指控那名教师打分数有政治偏见。
• He had a bias toward the plan.他对这项计划有偏见。

2 scrutiny   

n.详细检查，仔细观察

参考例句：

• His work looks all right,but it will not bear scrutiny.他的工作似乎很好，但是经不起仔细检查。
• Few wives in their forties can weather such a scrutiny.很少年过四十的妻子经得起这么仔细的观察。

3 formulate   

v.用公式表示；规划；设计；系统地阐述

参考例句：

• He took care to formulate his reply very clearly.他字斟句酌，清楚地做了回答。
• I was impressed by the way he could formulate his ideas.他陈述观点的方式让我印象深刻。

4 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

5 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。

6 fad   

n.时尚；一时流行的狂热；一时的爱好

参考例句：

• His interest in photography is only a passing fad.他对摄影的兴趣只是一时的爱好罢了。
• A hot business opportunity is based on a long-term trend not a short-lived fad.一个热门的商机指的是长期的趋势而非一时的流行。