English speakers: Critical thinking and intellectual self-defense

Presenting the scientific approach and enlightening caracteristic biaises in the construction of controversial theories :
- analysing pseudo-sciences and so-called supernatural phenomena as stimulating didactic tools.
- Promoting informed decisions and contradictory information about controversies.
- Sharing practical critical tools.

- Historical introduction to scientific scepticism.
- Initial precautions and introductory epistemological basis : scientific approach and science.
- Difference between sensible beliefs and acts of faith.
- Intellectual self-defense and critical thinking didactics.
- Basic critical tools : doublechecking the source of information, epistemic value of testimonies, limits of our senses.
- Hypothesis sorting and informed choice : Hume maxim, likelihood cursor, parcimony principle.
- The concept of « natural »(moving debate)
- The third day will be dedicated to PhD student's short presentations consisting in applying the critical toolbox to a specific topic.

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Acquiring practical methods and tools to make a rational judgement about the validity of a piece of information coming from science, controversial theories, medias, etc.

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