SEMINAR 7: DIVIDED BY OUR EQUALITIES?

OR UNITED BY
OUR DIFFERENCES, THE ROLE OF CRITICAL THINKING IN
TODAY’S WORLD

2023/1
ACTIVITIES
1. Reading relatoría and protocol from previous session

2. Assigning relatoría and protocol for next session.

3. Context: Videoclip Rational thinking vs Emotional thinking
4. Analyzing TRUST and GREED under the CTA
based on what was seen in the documentary “Trust No one” The
Hunt for the crypto King
5. Debating about the concepts of trust and greed – CT questions
- following the LEET for argument construction.
 WHY DO TRUST AND GREED (SUCH
DIFFERENT CONCEPTS) PLAY SO
SIGNIFICANT ROLES WHEN IT COMES
TO MAKING MONEY - REGARDLESS OF
THE AMOUNT - ?

.
• greed
•   (grēd)n.
An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than wha
t one needs or deserves, especially with respect to materi
al wealth: "Many ... attach to competition the
stigma of selfish greed" (Henry Fawcett).
.
• trust
•   (trŭst)n.1.a. Firm belief in the integrity, ability, or character of 
a person or thing; confidence or reliance: trying to gain our clie
nts' trust; taking it on trust that our friend is telling the truth.
• b. The condition and resulting obligation of having confidence 
placed in one: violated a public trust.
• c. One in which confidence is placed.

.
 •TRUST - GREED
• What is the relationship between trust and
vulnerability?
• Can you trust someone you fear?
• Can you respect someone you do not trust, and
can you trust someone you do not respect?
 • TRUST - GREED
•When can you say you are greedy and not ambitious? Why
one is good and the other is bad?
•Do you agree that greed is really a deadly sin?
•If you are content with what you have, how can you improve?
•What other bad behaviors do you associate with greed?
•Is it bad to be greedy for learning?
•Have you ever been motivated by greed? What can one end
up if he/she is led by greed?
 From a famous actor and an experienced journalist, a wildly
entertaining debunking of cryptocurrency, one of the greatest
frauds in history and on course for a spectacular crash At the
height of the pandemic, TV star Ben McKenzie (The O.C.,
Gotham) was the perfect mark for cryptocurrency: a dad stuck at
home with some cash in his pocket, worried about his family,
armed with only the vague notion that people were making heaps
of money on something he--despite a degree in economics--didn't
entirely understand. Lured in by the promise of taking power
from banks, possibly improving democracy, and sure, a touch of
FOMO, McKenzie dove deep into blockchain, Bitcoin, and the
various other coins and exchanges on which they are traded.
But after scratching the surface, he had to ask, "Am I crazy,
or is this all a total scam?" In Easy Money, McKenzie
enlists the help of journalist Jacob Silverman for a caper
and exposé that points in shock to the climactic final days
of cryptocurrency now upon us. Weaving together stories of
average traders and victims, colorful crypto "visionaries, "
Hollywood's biggest true believers, anti-crypto
whistleblowers, and government agents searching for
solutions at the precipice of a major crash, Easy Money is
an on-the-ground look at a perfect storm of 2008 Housing
Bubble-level irresponsibility and criminal fraud potentially
ten times more devastating than Bernie Madoff.
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=nGSd7qEWEn0
 Critical Thinking Steps
In order to be successful:
1. Remain open minded
2. Avoid emotional reasoning
3. Avoid oversimplification
 Critical Thinking Steps
1.Identify issues or problems.
2.Define the problem with a clear and concise statement of the
problem.
3.Gather relevant information.
4.Assess the credibility and accuracy of information and
supporting evidence.
5.Analyze information.
6.Search for reasons and root causes of problem.
 Critical Thinking Steps
7.Draw conclusions and generate theories
8.Formulate questions and test conclusions and theories
9. Identifying potential options for solutions to resolve issue
or problem
10. Assess implications and consequences of possible options
solutions
11. Select the best solution.
12. implement and test that solution
 *How to show you are a critical thinker?

1. Look for the key ideas, themes and concepts in your research 

2. Compare, contrast and link the different ideas you identify 

3. Understand these ideas, and apply them to new questions or

problems 
 Basic Argument Construction
 Label
Before developing an argument you need to say what your argument
is about. A label should clarify to the main idea of your argument in
less than a sentence.

Explain
Once you’ve said what your argument is about, you need to explain
what exactly you meant. This section of your argument is also
referred to as analysis. It is very important that as you explain your
argument you walk your judge logically through the steps of your
point. Your ultimate goal is to show why your argument is true.
 Basic Argument Construction

Example
After explaining why your argument is true, it is very useful to
provide an example or evidence to support your claim. Make sure to
explain why your example is relevant; if you don’t tie it to your
argument, the example doesn’t serve a purpose.

Tieback
A tie back is a few sentences explaining what makes your argument
so important to the round and why it belongs in your case. Think of
it as the concluding sentence in a written paragraph.
 Controversial Issues
• Abortion
• Artificial Intelligence
• Atheism
• Censorship and Freedom of Speech
• Civil Rights
• Climate Change
• Death Penalty/Capital Punishment
• Extremism
 Controversial Issues
• Hacking
• Health Insurance
• Labor Unions
• Marijuana Legalization
• Religious Freedom
• Social Security
• Women’s Rights
15 QUESTIONS TO ENCOURAGE
CRITICAL THINKING
What is one of the best ways to
encourage critical thinking? By asking
excellent questions!
 1. HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS?
Whether it was by word of mouth, classroom knowledge, or a news report, this question
prompts students to consider whether their source of information is reputable.

2. HOW WOULD YOUR PERSPECTIVE BE DIFFERENT IF YOU WERE ON THE

OPPOSING SIDE?
This question encourages Ss to role-play from an opposing person’s viewpoint and discover
a perspective outside their own so that they can better understand the broader situation.
Extracurriculars like debate class — mandatory for all Hun middle school Ss — is a
powerful way to accomplish this goal, as they must thoughtfully anticipate their
opposition's arguments in order to counter them.

3. HOW WOULD YOU SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

Finding creative solutions to common problems is a valuable life skill. This question is the
perfect opportunity to encourage their minds to wander!
 4. DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE — AND WHY?
Choosing a side in any debate challenges Ss to consider both
perspectives, weigh the arguments, and make an informed choice.

5. WHY? WHY? WHY?

Ask why repeatedly to push Ss beyond a simple first, second, or
even third answer, to get to the real depth. Be careful, though, not
to ask them to the point of frustration — you want learning and
exploring to be a positive experience.
 6. HOW COULD WE AVOID THIS PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE?
Ask Ss to apply critical thinking by analyzing how they could prevent a
certain issue from reoccurring.

7. WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Whether they're learning about a historical event or a mathematical concept,
it's important to understand why the topic is relevant today.

8. WHAT'S ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE?

It can be easy to learn one worldview and automatically believe it is the
only, or the best, way. Challenging kids to think of a creative alternate
perspective encourages them to think more broadly.
 9. CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE?
Inventing an example, or pulling from experience to share a
real one, is an excellent way to apply critical thinking skills.

10. HOW COULD IT HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY?

It takes some innovation and careful analysis to storyboard a
different ending, considering "what could have been" rather
than "what is."
 11. WHEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO TELL IF IT WORKED?
Ss will be pushed to consider what constitutes success and how it can
be measured in scenarios where the results aren't set in stone.

12. WHY DID YOU ASK THAT QUESTION?

Instead of answering a question at face value, this question
encourages Ss to think about what the merits of the question may be.

13. WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS?

Ss as the next generation of leaders and game-changers. When
making any decision, it's important to consider who will be impacted
and how.
14. WHAT CAN THIS STORY TEACH US ABOUT OUR
OWN LIVES?
From literature to social studies, Ss interact with all kinds of
different stories. Help them take these narratives one step
further by examining how it relates to their lives.

15. WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Analyzing why something is a problem — rather than just
accepting that it is — will help Ss develop strong problem-
solving skills of their own.
 25 Real-World Discussion Topics
• What qualities do we need in a potential world leader that we've
never had before?
• What alternate sources of energy might we need to turn to in the
next 50 to 60 years, and how can we provide them?
• How can we help people struggling in underprivileged regions
of the world lead better lives?
• How can we make our school better using what resources we
have available?
• Does our technology connect us more, or isolate us more? Why
do you feel this way?
 25 Real-World Discussion Topics
• Why is having values and beliefs important and how can we
form them independently?
• What are some more engaging alternatives to homework that
we could use in our class?
• Which words or phrases do we overuse, and what would be
some better ones?
• Are schools designed more for male or female students? Why
do you feel this way?
• Of the two, which is more important: having talent or working
hard? Why?
 25 Real-World Discussion Topics
• Is homeschooling better than traditional education? Why or why
not?
• What are the advantages of letting students direct their own
learning?
• Does classroom technology enhance how we learn, or is it just
getting in the way? Why?
• How can we better protect ourselves in our online
environments?
• What is a "sellout", and what popular artists do you consider to
be "sellouts" and why?
 25 Real-World Discussion Topics
• How do you define the term “perfection” in contrast to how it is
portrayed in our pop culture media?
• What are the benefits and consequences of
questioning/challenging authority?
• How can we best express ourselves even when we don’t know
another’s language?
• What is “art” and why do individual cultures place so much
value on its continuing evolution?
• How is our perception of good and evil shaped by our films,
books, and video games?
 25 Real-World Discussion Topics
• Why is it crucial to consider the effects of our words and
actions on other people?
• Why is it necessary for long-term health and wellness to
achieve balance in our lives, and how can we achieve it?
• What personal qualities do you have that help you deal with
conflict, challenge, and adversity?
• Are there universal characteristics of belief systems that are
common across all cultures? What are they and how can they
bring us together?
 *How to show you are a critical thinker?

4. Contribute your own ideas to the academic debate; respond to the

key ideas you’ve identified - don't just summarize them!

5. Question everything you read, whether it’s been written by a

renowned academic or your favourite commentator on a topic. Ask:
• What was their purpose when writing their work?
• Do they explain their reasoning sufficiently?
• Are there alternative arguments and do they deal with them?
• Can you introduce anything from your wider research to contrast with
or support this particular text?
https://app-sorteos.com/es/apps/la-ruleta
-decide?hash=53ZL2Z
 Basic Argument Construction

An example of LEET (motion: THW install bike lanes in major

cities)

Label: Bike lanes are safer for cyclists

Explain: Both being on sidewalks and unprotected roads can be

dangerous for cyclists. If unknowing pedestrians or cars fail to see
cyclists, it can be incredibly dangerous. Cyclists are threatened in
both places making cycling an inaccessible option for people.
 Basic Argument Construction

Example: In New York city, the introduction of smart bike

lanes led to a 56% reduction in injuries to all street users. This
included large reductions for cyclists, pedestrians, and fewer
collisions overall.

Tieback: Because bike lanes provide a safer environment for

all traffic it is critical that we form protected bike lanes on all
major streets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEPmBtiKU3
g&t=115s&ab_channel=Saskdebate
disinformation
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
dis·in·for·ma·tion (dĭs-ĭn′fər-mā′shən)
n.
1. Deliberately misleading information announced publicly or leaked by a government
or especially by an intelligence agency in order to influence public opinion or the
government in another nation: "He would be the unconscious channel for a piece of
disinformation aimed at another country's intelligence service" (Ken Follett).
2. Dissemination of such misleading information.

misinformation
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
mis·in·form (mĭs′ĭn-fôrm′)
tr.v. mis·in·formed, mis·in·form·ing, mis·in·forms
To provide with incorrect information.
mis′in·form′ant (-fôr′mənt), mis′in·form′er n.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=UheOilps2zQ&ab_channel=TheGu
ardian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z_ Taken from:
noeUjqiw&t=150s&ab_channel=Simon% https://buzzmachine.com/publicpa
26SchusterBooks rts/
https://piiano.com/blog/history-of-pri
vacy-and-future-predictions/
Brunner, D. (2022) What is privacy -
exploring the history of privacy, Piiano.
Available at:
https://piiano.com/blog/history-of-
privacy-and-future-predictions/
(Accessed: February 13, 2023).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH2
gMNrUuEY&ab_channel=TheEconomist

Taken from:
https://www.youtube.com/@The
Economist
https://www.theguardian.com/news/se
ries/pegasus-project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7H9uo
3j5FQ&ab_channel=TheGuardian
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=I5WjTTi67BE&t=4s&ab_c
hannel=TheGuardian