PART ONE The Context

Anyone who wishes to master an activity must first understand its tools and rules. This is as true as critical thinking as it is go golf, carpentry, flying a plane, or brain surgery. In critical thinking, however, the tools are not material objects but concepts, and the rules govern mental rather than physical performence.

无论谁想精通一项活动都必须先了解它的工具和规则，这对于批判性思考，打高尔夫球，做木工，开飞机，亦或者脑科手术一样。不过，在批判性思考中，所谓的工具不是物质工具，而是概念；其中规则支配的也不是身体动作，而是头脑。

生词本：
carpentry：n. 木器；木工手艺；[木] 木工业

This first section explores seven important concepts--- individuality, critical thinking, truth, knowledge, opinion, evidence, and argument---with a chapter devoted to each. Most of these concepts are so familiar that you may be inclined to wonder whether there is any point to examines them. The answer is yes, for three reasons. First, much of what is commonly believed about these concepts is mistaken. Sceond, who ever examines them carefully is always rewarded with fresh insights. Third, the more thorough your knowledge of these concepts, the more proficient you will be in your thinking.

在这第一部分中主要探讨了七个重要的概念：个性、批判性思考、真理、知识、观点、证据、论证。每章讨论一个概念，这其中大多数概念都为人熟知，或许会让你疑惑考察这些概念真的有意义吗？答案是肯定的，有以下三个理由：第一，大部分人关于这些概念的理解都是错的；第二，任何一个认真考察这些概念的人都将获得新的见识；第三，你越深刻地理解了这些概念，你就越精通于这种思维。

生词本：
inclined：adj. 想（做某事）；有……倾向；倾向于同意（或相信、认为等）
insights：n. 洞察力；眼力；深刻见解
proficient： adj. 熟练的，精通的