Overview

Class Central Tips

Enhance your decision-making skills in the age of AI with "Critical Thinking for Better Decisions in the ChatGPT Era." This innovative course brings together Barbara Oakley and Terry Sejnowski, the team behind the wildly popular "Learning How to Learn," along with Adam Trybus, Professor of Logic at the Institute of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Discover how your brain's fast and slow thinking systems influence decision-making, and learn to recognize when emotions or AI-generated content might be skewing your logic. Through real-world examples and cutting-edge neuroscience, you'll explore how even seasoned leaders can fall prey to cognitive biases and how to avoid similar pitfalls in an AI-augmented world. This course goes beyond traditional critical thinking approaches by examining the interplay between human cognition and AI tools like ChatGPT. You'll gain valuable insights into recognizing "tells" - subtle signs that emotions or algorithmic biases might be overriding reason - in yourself, others, and AI outputs. By the end of the course, you'll have practical tools to enhance your critical thinking, overcome biases, and make more informed decisions in an increasingly complex, AI-driven landscape. Prepare to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the ChatGPT era with confidence and clarity.

Syllabus

Unmasking Your Brain's Hidden Decision-Makers

Prepare to have your assumptions challenged as we dive into the surprising world of how your brain really makes decisions. This module isn't about memorizing brain parts; it's about radically rethinking how your mind works and why that matters for every decision you make. You'll discover why even the sharpest minds can be led astray by their own thought processes, witness how one of the business world's most celebrated CEOs, Jack Welch, fell into a critical thinking trap that cost his company dearly, and uncover the unconscious forces steering your decisions, often without you even realizing it. Get ready to unmask your brain's hidden decision-makers and transform your understanding of critical thinking.

Navigating the Battle Between Heart and Mind

Get ready to dive deeper into the complex tug-of-war between your brain’s automatic, instinctive thinking and its slower, more deliberate processes. This module goes beyond simply identifying cognitive biases; it's about mastering the art of knowing when to trust your gut and when to pause and think critically. You’ll explore the hidden workings of your mind as we reveal how automatic thinking, shaped by years of subconscious learning, can subtly hijack your logical reasoning without you even realizing it. Through real-world examples, such as the missteps of business titan Jack Welch, you’ll uncover how leaders—and all of us—can be led astray by trusting flawed instincts. Learn to spot the emotional "tells" that signal when feelings are overpowering reason, and discover practical techniques to balance intuition with deliberative thought. This isn’t just about managing your own thinking; it’s also about reading the emotional cues in others to understand when emotions are in the driver’s seat. By the end of this module, you'll have the tools to outsmart your brain’s sneaky shortcuts and become a more reflective, adaptable thinker.