YSU launches "Critical Thinking" book with discussion

"Critical Thinking" is the first extensive publication in Armenian dedicated entirely to the subject. The book consists of four sections and addresses the essence and requirements of cooperative and constructive communication, logical fallacies and rhetorical tools, as well as cognitive biases and mental heuristics that can either facilitate or complicate the thinking process. 

The book was developed by the Eurasia Cooperation Foundation, drawing on the accumulated experience from over twenty programs and practical "schools" in the field of critical thinking and conflict transformation.

Avetik Mejlumyan, Director of the YSU Sarkis and Marie Izmirlian Library, noted that this event is the third in a series of discussions organized in collaboration with ECF. Previous sessions focused on the books "How People Learn" and "Women, Peace, and War", while this session centered on "Critical Thinking", a book of interest to both the university community and the broader public.

Mikayel Hovhannisyan, YSU Vice-Rector for Development and Innovation, emphasized that critical thinking should be considered a mental process occurring not only at the individual level but also collectively. He noted that in reflective situations, under conditions of constructive and cooperative communication, it is possible to form a more optimal and comprehensive understanding of the object under study.

Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan, ECF CEO and author of the first and fourth sections of the book, highlighted that critical thinking cannot be methodically developed without linking it to cognitive activity and that it is inseparably connected to a scientific worldview.

Naira Mkrtchyan, PhD in Philosophy and translator of the preliminary version of the book's third section, emphasized an alternative interpretation of "critical thinking," proposing it be understood as thinking through analysis. She noted that analytical thinking drives not only the formation of thought but also action and process, which is one of the book's central ideas.

The YSU Library continues to host a series of discussions on ECF publications, providing a platform for free exchange of ideas, debate, and alternative learning opportunities for YSU lecturers, students, and all interested participants.