Tim van Gelder's Critical Thinking On The Web is probably the best site of its kind. It is overflowing with great information. One of the great things about this site are the links to related sites. Critical Reflections is the weblog section of the site. His latest entry is about common mistakes made in thinking about the Iraq problem, including an old favorite black-or-white reasoning.

The whole Iraq debate provides yet another tragic illustration of the inadequacy of our cognitive equipment (comprised of both our minds and our external tools) relative to what is needed for rational deliberation over complex real-world issues.

That said, even without fundamental change to our thinking equipment, thinking could be improved. Here are some of the most basic mistakes people are making all the time:

1. Black and white thinking. E.g., invading Iraq is either terribly wrong or a moral imperative. The idea that it is a moral "close call" due to multiple conflicting considerations pointing in different directions is rarely considered. B&W thinking crops up in myriad different forms. It is a kind of flight from complexity and shades of grey.

2. Gut-driven thinking. People's minds are made up for them in advance by their "gut" or intuition. All the rest is post hoc rationalization.

3. Tunnel vision. It is almost impossible to comprehend and synthesize all the relevant considerations. Most people don't even try; they focus on those which support their position (see 2) and ignore the rest.

4. Know nothing? No problem. Most people feel entitled to an opinion with very little background knowledge and without doing even the most minimal research. Spot quiz: how many people are executed each month by Saddam's regime?