That's an opinion.

這是個看法

It's not an argument in academic terms,

在學術領域中，它不是個論點

although you might want

雖然你可能想要

to argue with the opinion.

爭論這個看法

Now this is an academic argument:

現在，這是個學術論點

Statement one: Caffeine stimulates

陳述一：咖啡因能刺激

the brain and nervous system.

大腦與神經系統

Statement two:

陳述二：

Coffee contains more caffeine than tea.

咖啡比茶含有更多咖啡因

And statement three is the conclusion:

陳述三是結論：

Therefore coffee is

因此咖啡

more stimulating than tea.

比茶能更有效刺激人體

An argument is a collection

一個論點就是集合

of statements which,

所有陳述

when you consider them together,

當你將它們放在一起考量

allows you to make

可以讓你做出

another statement or a conclusion.

其他陳述或一個結論

Making and evaluating arguments is one of the key functions of critical thinking.

建立並評估論點是批判性思維的其中一個關鍵功能

We'll come back to this.

我們等等再回來這裡

You've probably heard

你之前可能聽過

this term 'critical thinking' before.

「批判性思維」這個詞

But what exactly does it mean?

但確切來說這是甚麼意思呢？

It's what you do

那就是

when you evaluate information

當你在評估資訊

and make decisions.

與做決策時做的事

And it's crucial if

這是很重要的

you want to become

如果你想要變成

an independent thinker:

一位獨立思考的人

if you want to think for yourself.

如果你想要有自己的觀點

And if you want to get good grades.

如果你想要有好一點的成績

You can defend your opinions

你可以為你自己的觀點答辯

and evaluate theories,

以及評估理論

finding their weaknesses and strengths.

找出他們的弱點與優勢

So, it sounds like a good thing, doesn't it?

所以，這聽起來是個好東西，不是嗎？

But how do you do it?

但你要怎麼做？

Back to our argument.

回到我們的論點

If you're a critical thinker and

如果你是個批判性思維者

someone tells you coffee

有人告訴你咖啡

is more stimulating than

比起茶更能刺激人體

tea, what do you do?

你會怎麼做？

First, examine their argument.

首先，檢查他們的論點

Is there a logical connection between the statements?

所有陳述在邏輯上是連貫的嗎？

I think so.

我想是

Then you'd examine their sources.

然後檢查他們的來源

Ask questions like these:

問一些這樣的問題：

whose work is it?

誰做的研究？

When was it written?

什麼時候寫的？

How was the research funded?

這個研究如何獲得資助？

What methods were used to find the evidence?

用什麼研究方法找到證據？

Is it objective –

客觀嗎？

what's fact and what's opinion?

論據如何以及評價如何？

What has been left out?

有甚麼東西被弄錯嗎？

What other perspectives or

還有其他看法

points of view could there be?

或觀點嗎？

Ask questions to analyse these sources,

問一些問題來分析這些來源

compare them with other sources,

與其他來源做比較

and synthesise your findings.

並綜合你的發現

And it's important to try

很重要的一點是

to put your own biases to one side.

試著把自己的成見放一邊

We all have them:

我們都有成見：

"I have to say I prefer coffee,

「我必須說我比較喜歡咖啡，

so I'll look for evidence

所以我會找一些證據

that supports my view."

來支持我的觀點的。」

And look out for any assumptions.

還有找出任何假設

"Well, coffee's good for you, isn't it?"

「咖啡對你有好處，不是嗎？」

And critical thinking can be applied to more than just reading,

批判性思維不只能用在閱讀上

you can write critically too.

也能有批判性寫作

Phrases like these are

像這樣的句子

a great way to introduce sources and evidence:

是個引入來源及證據的好辦法：

'It can be argued that…'

「有個論點指出…」

'There is evidence to suggest that…'

「有證據指出…」

'This supports the conclusion that…'

「這可以支持以下結論…」

So, go out,

所以，動身吧！

find out more about

找出更多有關

this huge topic

這個大題目的資訊

and try it out for yourself.

然後自己試試看批判性思維

Critical thinking is like a muscle:

批判性思維就像肌肉一般

it gets stronger the more you work at it.

你越常使用就會越強壯

Of course, you'll need

當然，你會需要

a fully alert and stimulated mind

一個完全警覺與被刺激的腦袋

in order to get down to work.

來開始工作

Which leaves one question:

所以留下一個問題：

which is better:

哪個比較好

coffee or tea?

咖啡還是茶？