Topics for Critical Thinking project:

1. Sustainable development means “ meeting the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

a. Can development be sustainable?

b. What are the issues and problems involved in sustainable
development?
c. What can individuals do? What could you do in your personal
capacity to promote sustainable development?
d. Use persuasive argument to present your point of view. Use
additional tools such as Venn diagram, Truth table, chart to support
your arguments.

2. Private automobiles should not be encouraged in Saigon.

a. Weigh the costs and benefits of private automobiles in Vietnam

b. What are the public benefits/costs?
c. What are the private benefits/cost?
d. Would you personally consider buying a car if you have the means?
e. Use persuasive argument to present your point of view. Use
additional tools such as Venn diagram, Truth table, chart to support
your arguments.

3. International trade brings benefits but also intensifies inequities.

a. Do you agree, why?
b. If you disagree, present your counter-argument.
c. Use deductive and inductive arguments to prove your point Use
persuasive argument to present your point of view. Use additional
tools such as Venn diagram, Truth table, chart to support your
arguments.

4. Large cities in developing countries face many problems related to dense

populations. Picture yourself living in a rural village.

a. What aspects of life would you enjoy?

b. What would be the most difficult for you to accept?
c. Use deductive and inductive arguments to present your position. Use
persuasive argument to present your point of view. Use additional
tools such as Venn diagram, Truth table, chart to support your
arguments.
5. Fuel cells are devices that use ongoing electrical reactions to produce an
electric current. However, it is a costly project and experts say we should
concentrate on other alternative sources of energy instead

a. Is this a project that the Vietnamese government should consider?

b. What benefits could be derived from this project?
c. Would the benefits outweigh the costs? What arguments could you
present to the country’s leaders? Use persuasive argument to present
your point of view. Use additional tools such as Venn diagram,
Truth table, chart to support your arguments.

6. Major cities in Vietnam should encourage the use of public transportation

a. What barriers do you see to walking, biking, or mass transit in the
major cities of Vietnam?
b. Why not write a popular newspaper about your arguments?
c. What have been the most formative experiences or persuasive
arguments in shaping your own attitudes? Use persuasive argument
to present your point of view. Use additional tools such as Venn
diagram, Truth table, chart to support your arguments.

7. A large successful Foreign/Vietnamese company has been polluting a river

for years. The Prime Minister finally gets involved and tells all parties
concerned to fix the problems even if that means shutting down the
company.

a. What are the problems?

b. What are the solutions to the problems using at least 2 forms of
Argument.
c. What would you do in the future to prevent this kind of problem
from happening again using at least 2 different forms of Argument.
Use additional tools such as Venn diagram, Truth table, chart to
support your arguments.

8. The birthrate in Vietnam is rising too fast because people are having too
many children.
a. What are the problems?
b. What are the solutions to the problems using at least 2 forms of
Argument.
c. What would you do in the future to prevent this kind of problem
from happening again using at least 2 different forms of Argument.
Use additional tools such as Venn diagram, Truth table, chart to
support your arguments.
 9. With the Financial Crisis in the US, Explain crisis.
a. What are the problems Vietnam will experience?
b. What are the solutions to the problems using at least 2 forms of
Argument.
c. What would you do in the future to prevent this kind of problem
from happening again using at least 2 different forms of Argument.
Use additional tools such as Venn diagram, Truth table, chart to
support your arguments.

10. Using Moore's Law

a. What are the problems that will be faced in 4 years and 10 years?
b. What are the solutions to the problems using at least 2 forms of
Argument.
c. What would you do in the future to prevent these kinds of problems
from happening again using at least 2 different forms of Argument.
Use additional tools such as Venn diagram, Truth table, chart to
support your arguments.

11. “It isn't really stealing to copy music off the internet. True artists want
their music to reach as many people as possible. They are more concerned
about the effect of their music on the world than on base concerns such as
money. Most independent artists cannot find distributors. People who share
music with their friends on the internet perform a useful service to music as
they make more people aware of small artists and the diversity of music
that is available.”

a. What do you think about the idea? Does it affect to the music
development in the world in general, and particularly in Vietnam?

b. Are there any problems on intellectual property in music in VN?

c. What are your solutions to the problem in VN at the time being? Give
solutions and arguments to convince that your proposal is realizable, using
different forms of arguments. Use additional tools such as Venn diagram,
Truth table, chart to support your arguments.

12. Given the Mekong Delta water supply is going away due to global warming and
China's Damming of the Mekong River

a. What is Vietnam going to do for water?

b. What are some solutions to the problem?
c. Using two different methodologies defend your argument.
d. Use a chart or graph to support your argument.