Evidence:

The data on which a judgment or conclusion might be based or by which proof or probability might be established.

Critical thinkers distinguish the evidence or raw data upon which they base their interpretations or conclusions from the inferences and assumptions that connect data to conclusions.

Uncritical thinkers treat their conclusions as something given to them in experience, as something they directly observe in the world. As a result, they find it difficult to see why anyone might disagree with their conclusions. After all, the truth of their views is, they believe, right there for everyone to see! Such people find it difficult or even impossible to describe the evidence or experience without coloring that description with their interpretation.

If you read a poem and say it was cool, you’ve made an inference, but have not provided evidence.  To present evidence, you’ve got to point out specific observations about the poem that made you think that it is cool.  Make sense?

Evidence is the why of what we think, feel, and believe.  Any time you find yourself strongly disagreeing with someone’s opinion, try asking them for evidence!

 

Evaluation:

To judge or determine the worth or quality of.

But here’s the thing: when we evaluate critically, our job is not just to say if we like it or not–we must use logic to determine the worth or quality.  Here are some questions that help to logically evaluate something:

1) Are we clear about what we are evaluating?  Be specific.  Choose a facet.
2) What is the purpose of the evaluation? Is our purpose legitimate?
3) Given our purpose, what are the relevant criteria or standards for evaluation?
4) Do we have enough information about the thing we are evaluating? Is that information relevant to the purpose?
5) Have we applied our criteria accurately and fairly to the facts as we know them? Uncritical thinkers often treat evaluation as mere preference or treat their evaluative judgments as direct observations not admitting of error.