Assumptions are necessary to help us make sense of our world. We are bombarded with so much information that we simply couldn't function if we didn't each have some basic premises to work from. That said, the critical thinker knows assumptions can get in the way of rational decision making. When solving problems, it's necessary to use strategic thinking to challenge our assumptions and find the right solutions. This course defines what assumptions are, describes how different kinds of assumptions may be challenged, and covers the importance of seeking out other people's perspectives.

Debating an argument is part of reaching a logical conclusion and solving problems. In this course, you'll learn to use strategic thinking to identify and judge arguments, recognize logical fallacies and persuasion techniques, and make effective arguments of your own.

When struggling with a difficult problem, it's easy to become hemmed in by traditional habitual thinking. Learning to leverage the power of analogical thinking allows you to think creatively and gain fresh insights through the exploration of unexpected similarities. In this course, you'll learn what analogical thinking is, when it's best used, and how to use it. You'll also learn under what situations it can fail, and how to avoid superficial analogies so you can make better strategic choices.

In order to make the best business decisions, you need to confront - and overcome - your cognitive biases. In this course, you will learn techniques for identifying cognitive bias, as well as strategies for overcoming specific biases.

When drawing conclusions, strategic thinking is needed to analyze and weigh the data and information you have to support taking action. In this course, you'll learn how to recognize the critical-thinking activities associated with reaching a sound conclusion. You'll discover how to employ effective questions, use tools to help you conclude findings, and create an action plan for putting conclusions into practice when solving problems.