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Critical Thinking
Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent Study
Third Edition
- Tom Chatfield - Author, tech philosopher and broadcaster
December 2026 | 288 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Learn how to think, not what to think.
Written by leading tech philosopher and broadcaster Tom Chatfield, Critical Thinking is the definitive guide to thinking clearly at university. In an information saturated world, it equips students with the skills they need to question sources, evaluate evidence, recognise bias, and build strong, well reasoned arguments with confidence.
Clear and practical throughout, the book breaks critical thinking down into techniques students can use across assignments, disciplines, and assessment types. It nurtures digital literacy, ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), and critical engagement with technology, helping students navigate misinformation, manage information overload, and make sound academic judgements.
Each chapter supports learning in action, with clear goals, smart study tips, reflection prompts, exercises, and summaries that help students develop and apply critical thinking skills step by step.
Ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate students developing critical thinking skills for reading, writing, and reasoning at university.
Written by leading tech philosopher and broadcaster Tom Chatfield, Critical Thinking is the definitive guide to thinking clearly at university. In an information saturated world, it equips students with the skills they need to question sources, evaluate evidence, recognise bias, and build strong, well reasoned arguments with confidence.
Clear and practical throughout, the book breaks critical thinking down into techniques students can use across assignments, disciplines, and assessment types. It nurtures digital literacy, ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), and critical engagement with technology, helping students navigate misinformation, manage information overload, and make sound academic judgements.
Each chapter supports learning in action, with clear goals, smart study tips, reflection prompts, exercises, and summaries that help students develop and apply critical thinking skills step by step.
Ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate students developing critical thinking skills for reading, writing, and reasoning at university.
Chapter 1: What is critical thinking (and why does it matter)?
PART I: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF BEING REASONABLE
Chapter 2: Understanding the reasons behind things
Chapter 3: Spelling out arguments and assumptions
Chapter 4: Deductive reasoning: logic and certainty
Chapter 5: Inductive reasoning: observation and uncertainty
Chapter 6: Developing explanations and theories
Chapter 7: Assessing evidence and planning your study strategy
PART II: BEING REASONABLE IN AN UNREASONABLE WORLD
Chapter 8: Getting to grips with rhetoric
Chapter 9: Seeing through faulty reasoning
Chapter 10: Understanding cognitive bias
Chapter 11: Overcoming bias in yourself and others
Chapter 12: Thinking critically about technology
Chapter 13: Putting it all together: critical thinking in study, work and life