We continually have to make decisions in life. They are part of living. But, where do you get a “how to” guide that strips away the complexity of decision making and replaces it with an easy to understand format?
The Re-Discovery of Common Sense takes the mystery and mystique out of decision making and replaces it with an easy to use “step-by-step guide” that you will enjoy learning from. It teaches concepts, methods and provides resources for making almost any decision. It also teaches how to think critically. Easy to understand explanations, real life examples, cartoons, and fascinating quotes make the book educational, engaging, and fun.
You will learn the 7 steps of making any decision and the 8 steps of doing any project. You will also learn the key elements of critical thinking, the power of your multiple intelligences and much more.
Once you have learned the powerful tools and techniques of decision making and critical thinking you will learn how these skills can be applied to real life. Practical examples teach you how to get the best deals on vacations and cars. Other examples teach you how to lower your electric bills, how to do home projects and how to create an exciting future for yourself!
The book is geared for high school students and above. It is also for anyone needing strong decision making skills. Teachers and parents will find the book especially helpful for their students and children who need that little extra nudge to think more critically and make wise decisions in their lives.
Great decisions make a great life. The Re-Discovery of Common Sense—A Guide to the Lost Art of Critical Thinking is a practical book that will teach you powerful skills for becoming successful both personally and professionally!
Why learn about The Re-Discovery of Common Sense?
Some Key Questions and Answers about:
The Re-Discovery of Common Sense
Q: What is the purpose of the book?
Q: What are the steps of Decision Making?
Q: Is the book easy to read?
Q: In your book you say that Critical Thinking is our most powerful strength. Can you explain why?
" This is a great book..full of insights and ideas that will make a difference for any human"
~Alan Bean, Apollo 12, Moonwalker
This book helps good Decision Making!
Have you witnessed the "dumbing down" of America? Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" segment on television, while entertaining, is symptomatic of a deeper problem. The good news is the author takes the reader through many examples of how to make good decisions by thinking through them in a step-by-step manner. Many simple and practical examples are provided. This book is timely and is needed.
~ Mark Jepperson
Let's send this book to the US Congress!
If you ever read the paper or watch the news and ask yourself, "What the heck is wrong with our Federal Government?"...Read this book! The information contained in this entertaining easy to read book has the answers you have been seeking. This is must reading for anyone that has to make decisions.
~Steve Tyra –Humorist
Great introduction to critical thinking
I have read several of Mr. Clayton's books, and I think this is the best. This book is an introductory book to critical thinking and can be read by just about any age group. It can be used to introduce someone to the practices of critical thinking, or, as for myself, a wonderful refresher course that could be read over a weekend. Mr. Clayton has also provided an excellent summary and worksheets in the appendix that make the book an easy reference when I want to apply critical thinking to a new idea. I also signed up on his website to get regular updates through a newsletter. I believe after reading this book, people should look into DeBono's 6 hats thinking methods and collective intelligence methods as a comparison to group think. Overall, a very good book and great resrouce.
~ Jack Brown
The Re-Discovery of
Common Sense!
This book offers great advice to guide decision making, critical thinking, organization, goal setting, and time management. It is well laid out and well written.
Clayton offers real life examples to demonstrate his points in a way that can provide value to a wide range of readers. If you want to organize a busy household, plan a family vacation, or create a personal budget, this book will help you. If you are looking to take your life in a new direction, tackle a new career, or become a more effective communicator, this book has a lot to offer you, as well.
The Re-Discovery of COMMON SENSE is a timely book that will serve readers well during this time of tremendous change and adjustment that will affect so many.
~ Stacie Vander Pol
The lost Art of Critical Thinking
Chuck Clayton's writing style is conversational and easy to read, so much so that I hardly realized I was learning something until I had finished reading it! The hand drawn cartoons are another stress free way to ease yourself into clearer modes of thought. Oftentimes the shortfall of books attempting to create thought about thinking is that they are dry, thick, and dull. This is not one of those books! A great buy for anyone who is just starting out in the world and could use some gentle nudges in the right direction.
~ Erik Fleming
A Key To Success!
Thomas Edison once noted that "Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Charles Clayton gives his readers a robust tool for the road to success in his book, "The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking." As I near the end of my current career and look forward to my next one, I have found a very valuable tool in Clayton's book. His writings recall to mind many of the concepts I learned in my early years, reinforcing their validity. And he provides new thoughts as well. This is the book I wish I had read decades ago; and yes, this is the book I wish I had written. A job well done, Mr. Clayton!
~ S. Diana Patane
Needed: More Common Sense and Critical Thinking!
When you look at the shape the United States is in -- constant political attacks, a failing American health-care system, and the idiotic war in Iraq, to provide just a few examples -- it's clear that there's an appalling lack of critical thinking and common sense. Author Chuck Clayton provides what is essential a guide for re-learning the lost art of critical thinking. Basically, so many people don't think -- they just react emotionally, they take facts (often distorted) for granted without questioning them, or their brains are numbed by endless news of Hollywood types. Thinking critically takes time -- one has to learn key facts and compare them before making a decision. Despite my little soapbox here, the book is nonpolitical -- it simply gives lots of examples and quick examples to help people learn the fine art of critical thinking and common sense all over again. The benefits of critical thinking are really economic -- for the average person -- in terms of making smarter and more informed purchasing decisions for everything from cars to vacations.
~Jack J. Challem (The Nutrition Reporter)
The Re-Discovery of Common Sense
Index
Introduction
Our Most Powerful Strength
What are Critical Thinking Skills?
Why You Need Critical Thinking Skills
America’s Universities
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Foundation
Chapter 1:Key Elements of Critical Thinking
A Curious and Open Mind
Thinking through Issues
Analyze Issues from Multiple View Points
Doing Needed Investigation
Intuitive and Non-Intuitive Thinking
Can Your Critical Thinking Skills be Improved?
Looking Forward
Chapter 2: Land Mines to Critical Thinking!
Egocentric Thinking
Social Conditioning
Biased Experience
Arrogance and Intolerance
Time and PatienceGroup Think
The Herd Mentality
The Drone Mentality
Sidestepping the Land Mines
Looking Forward
Chapter 3:What are some Critical Questions?
Information and Information Sources
AssumptionsInterpretations and Implications
Conclusions
Looking Forward
Critical Thinking Methods and Resources
Chapter 4: How to Solve Mysteries!
Experts who have solved the Mystery of Their Field
How to Solve Mysteries using Critical Thinking
The Scientific Method
The 80/20 Rule
Tinkering, the Art of Playing
Locating the Root Cause of Problems
Working Backwards
Using History as a Guide
Looking Forward
Chapter 5: How to Investigate any Subject
Just in Time Learning
The Internet
Internet Bookstores
Traditional Bookstores and Libraries
Experts
Classes and software
The Point of Diminishing Returns
Looking Forward
Chapter 6: How to do Projects and Achieve Objectives
The Basics of Projects and Objectives
One Final Point — The Hidden Resource
Conclusion
Looking Forward
Chapter 7: Critical Thinking Examples
The Needed Vacation
An Australian Trip
Your Australian Vacation
Building a Home Patio
Conclusion
Looking Forward
Chapter 8: Fun with Comparison Studies
Consumer Reports®
Creating Your own Comparison Studies
Purchasing a Car
Reviewing Comparison Studies
Doing Your Own Comparison Studies
Looking ForwardDecision Making
Chapter 9: How to Make Wise Decisions
What Affects Your Decisions?
The Process of Decision Making
More Decision Making Methods
The Pareto Diagram
The Ben Franklin Balance Sheet Close
Thin Slicing
Looking Forward
Connections
Chapter 10: Connections
How to Connect with Others
We Speak Volumes
Key Principles of Good Communication
Connections
Looking Forward
Your Future
Chapter 11: Discovering Your Multiple Intelligences
Our Multiple Intelligences
Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking
Looking Forward
Chapter 12: Creating an Exciting Future For Yourself!
The Shape of Things to Come!
Are You Ready for the Coming Changes?
Using Inflection Points to Improve Your Future
Passion and Time Urgency
Make a Life List and Check it TwiceVisioning Your Own Future
Finding Alternative Careers and Activities
Your Journey Continues!
References and Appendixes
References and Notes
Appendix A: Critical Thinking Vocabulary
Appendix B: Your Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts
“Each decision you make, each path you take, each risk you take helps to define who you are and who you will become. Investing the time to think through, investigate, weigh options, and then choosing your decisions carefully creates a better life."
~ Chuck Clayton
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