Introduction

In the previous chapters we have dealt with various aspects of critical thinking – from logical foundations through structures of argumentation to cognitive biases, fallacies and manipulation techniques. In this chapter we turn to an often overlooked but fundamental aspect of critical thinking: intellectual virtues and vices.

Intellectual virtues are character traits and attitudes that promote good thinking and help us to acquire and share knowledge. Intellectual vices, on the other hand, are traits that hinder our thinking and keep us from acquiring knowledge and understanding. These virtues and vices influence not only how we think, but also how we engage in intellectual exchange with others.

In this chapter we will examine the most important intellectual virtues and vices, understand their significance for critical thinking and explore ways in which we can cultivate intellectual virtues in our own thinking and in our communities.