Every day, a sea of decisions stretches before us, and it's impossible to make a perfect choice every time. But there are many ways to improve our chances — and one particularly effective technique is critical thinking. Samantha Agoos describes a 5-step process that may help you with any number of problems. [Directed by Nick Hilditch, narrated b...

Socrates, one of the founding fathers of Western philosophical thought, was on trial. Many believed he was an enemy of the state, accusing the philosopher of corrupting the youth and refusing to recognize their gods. But Socrates wasn't feared for claiming to have all the answers, but rather, for asking too many questions. Erick Wilberding digs ...

Some works of art stand the test of time; others don't age as well. Using American musical theater as her case study, theater historian Margaret Hall shares a framework of five categories to talk about how art does (and doesn't) remain useful across generations -- encouraging us to address the "growing pains" that all art faces as time and cultu...

Why do arguments change people's minds in some cases and backfire in others? Hugo Mercier explains how arguments are more convincing when they rest on a good knowledge of the audience, taking into account what the audience believes, who they trust, and what they value. [TED-Ed Animation by TED-Ed]

Does a set of data make you feel more comfortable? More successful? Then your interpretation of it is likely wrong. In a surprisingly moving talk, Susan Etlinger explains why, as we receive more and more data, we need to deepen our critical thinking skills. Because it's hard to move beyond counting things to really understanding them.

Given a range of integers from 0 to 100, what would the whole number closest to 2/3 of the average of all numbers guessed be? For example, if the average of all guesses is 60, the correct guess will be 40. The game is played under conditions known to game theorists as "common knowledge:" every player has the same information— they also know that...

The underworld is overcrowded, and Zeus has ordered Hades to let some spirits out. Hades arranges all the souls of the dead in a line before Cerberus. When one of his three heads bites down on the soul in front of it, they'll get returned to the land of the living. Anyone to the left must stay in Hades forever. Can you pick the right spot and es...

For six months, Suki Kim worked as an English teacher at an elite school for North Korea's future leaders -- while writing a book on one of the world's most repressive regimes. As she helped her students grapple with concepts like "truth" and "critical thinking," she came to wonder: Was teaching these students to seek the truth putting them in p...

It's 1950. Anti-communist sentiment in the United States is at an all-time high. Senator Joseph McCarthy claims he has a list of communists who are influencing government policy. He makes his first accusation without providing any legitimate evidence, yet the senate committee still schedules a hearing. Can you spot the problem with this hearing?...

After working at Microsoft for almost a decade, Patrick Awuah returned home to Ghana and cofounded Ashesi University, a small liberal arts college that aims to educate Africa's next generation of leaders. Its first class of students graduated in 2006.

If we want children to thrive in our complicated world, we need to teach them how to think, says educator Brian Oshiro. And we can do it with 4 simple questions. This post is part of TED’s “How to Be a Better Human” series, each of which contains a piece of helpful advice from someone in the TED community; browse through all the posts here. ...

We all know about the climate crisis. We all want to stay informed — but the information can be overwhelming. Watch these talks to hear what’s at stake and find out what's being done.

In his new book, "Reinventing Fire," Amory Lovins shares ingenious ideas for the next era of energy.

Critical care doctor Peter Weinstock shows how surgical teams are using a blend of Hollywood special effects and 3D printing to create amazingly lifelike reproductions of real patients -- so they can practice risky surgeries ahead of time. Think: "Operate twice, cut once." Glimpse the future of surgery in this forward-thinking talk.

You're not at your best when you're stressed. In fact, your brain has evolved over millennia to release cortisol in stressful situations, inhibiting rational, logical thinking but potentially helping you survive, say, being attacked by a lion. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin thinks there's a way to avoid making critical mistakes in stressful situa...

About this event:

About this event: Since Aristotle and Plato began discussing education in ancient Athens, curiosity, creativity and critical thinking have been considered essential to learning. And we now know that diversity is a critical component of the educational process. And yet. There is resistance. This year’s theme will encourage curiosity about issues of divers...

About this event: Imagine information, new perspective, ideas, critical thinking....flowing through your brain. TEDXHARTFORD will provide this on Dec 4th, 2018.

About this event: Innovation, spirit, sustainability, and critical thinking are the themes of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). Speakers will share their insights on these 4 spheres to an audience of RSM community members.

About this event: The event features influential local voices exploring bold ideas on leadership, critical thinking, biodiversity, data literacy, and even the impact of lighting design. Each talk is designed to shift perspectives, ignite conversations, and inspire action.

About this event: In everyone's life, we're faced with many choices, many problems to solve, and the examination or analysis of ideas. The emergence of "critical thinking" just happens to provide us with a new mode of thinking to improve the way we think about problems or situations that can then lead us a positive impact on our decisions. Art is not a thing si...

About this event: TEDxMonashUniversity is ran by Monash students, for the Monash University community, to encourage creative thinking, design thinking and critical thinking in light of TED's mission, "Ideas worth spreading". TEDxMonashUniversity 2018 Out of The Box is also the first TEDx event happened in Monash University Australian campuses.

About this event: TEDxJabavu 2025: Beyond Limits TEDxJabavu is more than just an event—it’s a movement dedicated to sparking meaningful conversations, inspiring action, and challenging the way we think. Under this year’s theme, "Beyond Limits: The Power of Critical Thinking and Personal Growth," we bring together a diverse lineup of speakers, visionaries, and cha...

About this event: TEDxYouth@LaColorada is being organized by C.E.B.G. Margarito Mojica Nunez eighth graders. The students have been learning about TED, TEDx, and their own themes throughout the year. Students will create their own presentation and organize all the details of the event. The opportunity to be part of the TEDx community has helped teach these stu...

About this event: TEDXIPB serves as a platform for local figures and innovators from various fields to engage in productive dialogue and discussions within the provided space. TEDxIPB aims to embody the values supported by IPB University, including Critical Thinking, Creativity & Innovation, Communication, Curiosity, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Leadership, Decis...

About this event: "Rethinking Education: A Quality by Design approach focuses on intentional, systematic strategies that prioritize meaningful learning experiences. By integrating diverse perspectives, innovative practices, and robust assessments, we can create inclusive environments that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability, ultimately prepa...

About this event: TEDxYouth@RahaSchool is an independently organised TEDx event which will take place on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, with several speakers from the Raha International School community. At Raha, we celebrate empowering diverse beliefs through recognising and respecting the inherent dignity of each. In the spirit of collaboration and critical thinki...