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Key components of critical thinking
Critical thinking and decision making skills
Nature of critical thinking
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Critical thinkers have the ability to think on a higher level. A process for thinking critically is required that will bring about decisions and ideas that will provide for a better life for ourselves and those around us. Most of us take thinking for granted. However, we develop as critical thinkers when we open ourselves to recognizing the strengths and weakness’ of our own thinking. Higher order thinking comes into play when choosing a presidential candidate, or sitting on a jury for a murder trial, or deciding if we need nuclear power plants, or when determining the effects of global warming. As a critical thinker, one becomes a more responsible, contributing member of society. (Schafersman, S.D., 1991). To put us on the road to being critical thinkers, we need to acquire the attributes of a critical thinker and to learn to be fair minded and recognize our own ignorance. Traits of a Critical Thinker In order to improve the thinking ability, one needs intellectual integrity, humility, sense of justice, perseverance, fair mindedness, a confidence in reason, intellectual courage, empathy, and autonomy. These traits allow one to use highly insightful thinking. Someone with a weak sense for critical thinking may become good at winning arguments but they do not develop a sense of fair mindedness. (Paul & Elder, 2006). Being a fair minded thinker can be hard. It requires one to consider views other than one’s own. A person cannot look for his or her own advantage or the advantage of friends. We cannot always be fair minded because our egos get in the way. However, striving to develop a brain that is fair minded will let us find the truth of a matter. All of the traits described above go into developing a fair minded thinking ... ... middle of paper ... ... one to come to conclusions that are fair-minded. (Paul & Elder, 2006). Intellectual integrity, humility, a sense of justice, perseverance, fair mindedness, a confidence in reason, intellectual courage, empathy, and autonomy are all traits needed to create a critical thinker with a fair and disciplined mind. When one moves past their own egocentric thinking, one can become a nonconformist with the ability to think for ones self. This makes one a better thinker and decision maker and therefore, a better contributor to society. References Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your learning and your life (2nd. ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ : Prentice Hall. Schafersman, S.D. (1991, January). An introduction to critical thinking. Retrieved August 1, 2008 from , Web site: http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-thinking.html
The article, “Critical Thinking? You Need Knowledge” by Diane Ravitch, discusses how in the past people have been deprived from the thinking process and abstract thinking skills. Students need to be given more retainable knowledge by their teachers to improve their critical thinking skills. (Ravitch).
Introduction Critical thinking provides an opportunity to explore the positive and negative sides of an argument for and against an idea, theory, or notion. Reasoning and perception is attuned to personal impression and provides outcome to belief and opinion. The dictionary term and understanding for the word ‘logic’ is “of sound thinking and proof by reasoning” (Merriam-Webster, 2009). Logic is the examination of the methods and doctrine used to determine ‘correct’ from ‘incorrect’ and is used in the structure of an argument.
In order to develop critical thinking, it is important for individuals to be clear as to the purpose of the task or topic at hand, and the main question that is at issue in regard to it. To accomplish this goal, it is essential to: strive to be clear, accurate, precise and relevant, practice thinking beneath the surface, be logical and fair-minded, apply critical thinking skills to all reading, writing, speaking and listening activities, and apply these skills to all aspects of work as well as life in general.
Paul, R. and Elder, L., (2008). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking-Concepts and Tools, 5th. Ed., Foundation for Critical Thinking Press: Dillon Beach, CA
Once again, the author defines critical thinking as “...evaluation. Critical thinking, therefore, may be defined as the process by which we test claims and arguments and determine which have merit and which do not. In other words, critical thinking is a search for answers, a quest. (19)”. The author defines critical thinking as proposing questions and seeking answers, also inspecting arguments and claims that are tied to the issue. Applied to the school curriculum, the course would entail critical thinking and evaluation of judgements and perceptions of acceptable values and conduct towards others. Employing critical thinking and analysis into the class curriculum, students then also grow to become more mature in their decisions as critical thinkers. Various traits of critical thinkers are listed by Ruggiero, where he states that experienced thinkers are honest with themselves and their own limited knowledge, see problems and issues as intellectual challenges, remain patient yet curious, draw conclusions from logic rather than personal emotion, open-minded, and think before acting (21-22). These listed traits are all extremely beneficial to the development of the student’s personalized conscience and would only broaden their internal horizons for understanding their moral
There are several critical thinking skills that are needed for the leader committed to social justice to effectively communicate at all levels of practice including the ability to observe, analyze and interpret information and situations, provide clear explanations, decision making skills, problem solving skills, open and honest communication, evaluation skills, and inference. A leader must be knowledgeable and understand all aspects of the issue that exists to be able to establish goals to address the issue. The knowledge and understanding comes from the ability to make good observations while also being
Brown, M. &. (2000). Critical thinking: Asking the right questions. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Peason Custom Publishing.
Paul R. (1995). Critical thinking: How to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Santa Rosa, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking.
What is not easily recognized is the fact that the very fabric of life is dependent on the ability to think properly and make good decisions. Improper thinking is costly in the quality of life and monetarily. The result of a critical thinker that has worked to cultivate proper thinking skills includes: the ability to ask vital questions and to identify problems with clarity. A critical thinker also collects relevant information while effectively interpreting it, thinks with an open mind, uses alternative systems of thought, and understands how to communicate while working to formulate a strong solution. In summary, critical thinking is self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. Above all else, the standards of excellence are rigorous, and it entails the prospect of overcoming the challenge of sociocentrism and
While we critically think, we need to remember not to be too judgmental and closed-minded but open-minded. If we are going to be a critical thinker, we want to aim the use of strong-sense and not weak-sense critical thinking. Professor Richard Paul mentioned in the book makes distinctions between these two. Weak-sense critical thinking is closed-minded by using critical thinking to protect your own beliefs. This method takes in reasoning that is beneficial in supporting your beliefs and neglecting those that do not. Strong-sense critical thinking is more open-minded by being able to take in other beliefs. However, that does not mean everyone will end up disregarding their initial beliefs. After critical examination, people’s initial beliefs can be strengthened as well. So, remembering to be open-minded while respecting our judgment that we hold is important. Critical thinking is necessary, so might as well aim to fully make a use of it by using strong-sense critical
The leaders who apply critical thinking in their service are better organized and set an example to their subordinates by personal characteristics, skills, knowledge
According to The Foundation for Critical Thinking (2007), "Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism (Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2007).
2. Richard, Paul “Critical Thinking: Basic Theory and Instructions Structures,” Foundations for Critical Thinking. 1977. P
None of us think critically all the time. Well-cultivated thinkers communicate effectively among others in solving complex problems and other matters in question. In short, creative and critical thinking is all about ones’ self (self corrective, self discipline, self directed).
Critical thinking regularly involves the capability to interpret information and make knowledgeable decisions based on such information. Additionally, problem solving is frequently theorised as the use of critical thinking skills towards the effective solution of a specific problem or towards a specific end goal. Critical thinking is the disciplined art of ensuring that you use the best thinking you are capable of in any set of circumstances. The general goal of thinking is to figure out some situation” (Critical Thinking, 2001, p.1), solve some problem, answer some questions, or resolve some issue. It also is a process in which a person pursuits reliable and pertinent information about the world. Critical thinking is often described as reasonable, ruminative, trustworthy, and a well-practiced form of thinking that assists people with deciding what they should believe in and what actions should be taken. A practiced critical thinker will ask good questions, collects pertinent data, categorizes common characteristics, logically reasons with the new data and then he or she will come to a trustworthy and dependable conclusion. Critical thinking makes use of many processes and procedures. Some processes include but is not limited to asking questions, making judgments, and identifying