Thinking Clearly

In this episode, Bob and Julia unpack the construct of worldview, discuss its relevance to critical thinking and demonstrate how to uncover one's own worldview and the worldviews of others.

Show hosts, Bob and Julia, demonstrate a civil dialogue as they discuss a topic about which they disagree. Even though the topic, "Humanity is Worth Saving", generates a lively discussion, the focus is on the process of civil dialogue rather than the content of the topic. An-studio facilitator helps guide the discussion of process.

This show is part 2 of a series on "Having Civil Dialogues." Julia and Bob discuss the issue, guided by audio clips from radio host and author, Celeste Headley, social psychologist, Professor Rob Willer, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster Krista Tippett. The question of how to integrate the principles of Civil Dialogue into the process of critical thinking is explored.

With incivility on the rise in the U.S., this episode focuses on the importance of and methods for having civil dialogues. Bob and Julia discuss the topic with Arizona State University Professors Jennifer Linde and Clark Olson, co-founders of the Institute for Civil Dialogue and co-authors of the book "Hot Topics, Cool Heads: A Handbook for Civil Dialogue."

Bob and Julia discuss the "is"/"ought" distinction and the process of recognizing and analyzing arguments that contain moral considerations, using passage of California SB 277 as an example.

Bob discusses motivated reasoning, the use of critical thinking to answer moral questions, and related topics with guest Peter Ditto, Professor of Psychology and Social Behavior at U.C. Irvine.

Bob and Julia summarize, and discuss in broad terms, how current paradigms in cognitive science relate to the importance of using critical thinking in our present informationally polluted environment. This freewheeling discussion and calls from listeners change the direction of the show, which was originally planned to focus on heuristics, biases and debiasing strategies.

This episode goes in depth about critical thinking with guest Dr. Kevin deLaplante, creator of the Critical Thinker Academy and Argument Ninja Academy and focuses on new developments in critical thinking, the importance of thinking critically and resources for further skill development.

When we're compelled to explain how something works, including political issues and policies, we are forced to confront our lack of knowledge. That idea, its implications, and related studies from cognitive science frames this discussion with guest, Professor Steven Sloman, one of the authors of the recent book, "The Knowledge Illusion – why we never think alone." This show aired live on Aug. 3, 2017.

Bob and Julia discuss beliefs and why we cling to false beliefs. Several examples of commonly held beliefs which turned out to be "false" (not supported) are discussed including: high rates of suicide during the Christmas season, vortices in sink and toilet drains spinning in opposite directions in northern and southern hemispheres, the PizzaGate Conspiracy Theory and the effectiveness of proanthocyanidins from cranberries to cure urinary tract infections. This show aired live on July 6, 2017.