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Critical Thinking

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Critical Thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.[1]

Critical Thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.

Purpose & Role

Critical thinking serves the purpose of enabling us to make reasoned judgments. It plays a crucial role in decision-making, problem-solving, and understanding and solving complex problems. It's about being able to think independently, assess situations logically, and consider diverse perspectives while understanding the logical connections between ideas.

Components

  • Interpretation: Understanding the information presented.
  • Analysis: Breaking information into parts to explore understandings and relationships.
  • Inference: Drawing conclusions from the information gathered.
  • Evaluation: Assessing the credibility and strength of sources and the information they provide.
  • Explanation: Being able to communicate one's understanding and reasoning.
  • Self-regulation: Reflecting on one's own thought process and understanding to improve future performance.

Importance & Benefits

Critical thinking is important because it helps individuals make better decisions, solve problems more effectively, and communicate more clearly and persuasively. It helps individuals evaluate information more accurately and thoroughly. It promotes creativity, flexibility, and collaborative skills.

History

The concept of critical thinking has roots in ancient philosophy. Socrates, for instance, applied an early form of critical thinking in his Socratic method, which aimed to reveal contradictions in an individual's beliefs and challenge the coherence of their thought processes. Modern critical thinking education is influenced by philosophers and educators such as John Dewey and Edward Glaser.

Pros & Cons

Pros of critical thinking include improved decision-making abilities, increased self-reliance in one's ability to make judgements, improved problem-solving skills, and increased ability to communicate effectively. Cons could include becoming overly analytical or critical of ideas and information, and it may take time and effort to develop these skills fully.

For example, when faced with a problem at work, an individual using critical thinking skills may carefully evaluate all available information, including any assumptions or implicit biases, draw upon past experiences, consider different perspectives, and then make a reasoned decision that considers all these factors.

See Also


References

  1. Definition = What Does Critical Thinking Mean? University of Louisville


Further Reading