From the Back Cover
—Dr. Joe Luciani, Bestselling Author of Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression
“…the all important skill of learning how to think is still a lost art. This makes the work of Linda Elder and Richard Paul vital to the progress of our democratic society. Buy this book, change your life, and in the process make the world a safer and saner place to live.”
—Dr. Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine; Author of Why People Believe Weird Things
“Critical thinking, the skill so ably taught in this book, is the solution to much of our emotional pain. Our minds are literally creating our lives. And often our minds sabotage us with faulty, distorted thinking. The result: bad choices and emotional disorders. If you want to change your life, it starts with changing how you think; this book will give you the tools.”
—Dr. Matthew McKay, Author of Mind and Emotions
“One of the qualities that sets us apart from thinking creatures of other species is our ability—if we choose to use it—to ‘think about our thinking.’ In this substantial, clear, and easy-to-read book …readers are offered stimulating descriptions, definitions, principles, and suggestions for understanding and using thinking in effective ways to experience a better quality of life.”
—Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, Psychologist; Coauthor of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
“30 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living Through Critical Thinking is a manifesto for approaching life and relationships assertively, for thinking clearly and fairly, and for uncovering your own biases and vulnerabilities to the persuasive tactics of others—a hands-on approach to helping anyone who wants to see the world around them more fairly and clearly.”
—Dr. Karen E. Dill, Author of How Fantasy Becomes Reality
“This small, easily readable book contains wisdom hard won during the two authors’ dedicated and decades-long efforts to develop and communicate their conception of critical thinking, a conception that has rightly been very influential.”
—Dr. Frank Fair, Sam Houston State University, Managing Editor of INQUIRY: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines
“There is much to gain from reading books written by Linda Elder and Richard Paul. This book carries on their tradition of elevating our thinking into the stratosphere while keeping our feet planted firmly on practical ground.”
—Dr. Don Ambrose, Editor, The Roeper Review
“A comprehensive and effective blueprint for getting one’s thoughts on straight through the application of a proven intellectual concept to the practicalities of daily living. A critical thinking classic.”
—George Hanford, President Emeritus, The College Board
Critical thinking can transform your thinking and improve every part of your life! Now, in just 30 days, you can begin to master specific, easy-to-learn techniques that will help you cut through lies, gain insight, and make smarter choices in every area of your life—from work and money to your most intimate relationships.
World-renowned critical thinking experts Linda Elder and Richard Paul show you how to overcome poor thinking habits caused by self-deception or out-of-control emotions...clarify what you really want...recognize what you don’t know...ask better questions...resist manipulation...and critically evaluate what you’re told by advertisers, politicians, your colleagues, or even your family.
Each day, you’ll focus on a specific critical thinking concept. You will learn practical strategies for bringing powerful ideas into the fabric of your life, into your daily routines. Day by day, you’ll chart your progress—as you move deliberately toward sharper focus, deeper insight, and a more reasonable way of living.
Learn how to think clearly
Learn to think for yourself (using disciplined thought)
Don’t let the media brainwash you—and don’t let anyone else do it either
Overcome ignorance and hypocrisy
Stop being submissive or domineering toward others
Look underneath words to unspoken realities
Permeate your thinking with relevance, reason, integrity, fairness, and mercy
Recognize when questions are calling for facts, preferences, or judgments
Take control of your emotional life
Get past worrying, conformism, and blame
Keep improving your thinking—for the rest of your life!
About the Author
Dr. Richard Paul is founder of the Foundation for Critical Thinking and director of Research and Professional Development at the Center for Critical Thinking. He is an internationally recognized authority on critical thinking, with nine books and more than 200 articles on the subject. His views on critical thinking have been canvassed in The New York Times, Education Week, The Chronicle of Higher Education, American Teacher, Reader’s Digest, Educational Leadership, Newsweek, and U.S. News and World Report.
The works of Linda Elder and Richard Paul have been translated into Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Chinese, Turkish, Greek, Thai, and Korean. The growing demand for translations into increasing numbers of languages testifies to the emerging international recognition of the importance of critical thinking in human life. It is a testament to the contributions of Paul and Elder to the growing field of critical thinking studies.
The Foundation for Critical Thinking seeks to promote essential change in society through the cultivation of fairminded critical thinking, thinking predisposed toward intellectual empathy, intellectual humility, intellectual perseverance, intellectual integrity, and intellectual responsibility. In a world of accelerating change, intensifying complexity, and increasing interdependence, critical thinking is now a requirement for economic and social survival. Contact the Foundation for Critical Thinking at www.criticalthinking.org.