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 testimonies 1. 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 gathering 2 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 interpretation 3 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 drawn 4 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 spectrum 5 of viewpoints might explain why some policies that don't seem valid 6 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 eradicate 7 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 sift 8 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。