Critical Thinking
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- Date Submitted: 04/08/2010 08:08 PM
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Abstract
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the art of thinking about thinking while thinking in order to make thinking better (Paul & Scriven, 2007). It is the ability to weigh each component of the decision-making process against intellectual standards and improve thinking. The quality of work, the quality of life, and the quality of relationships are defined by the quality of thinking. Critical thinking allows us to be more effective communicators and more efficient problem solvers.
The intellectual standards outlined in our text are: intellectual autonomy, intellectual empathy, intellectual courage, and intellectual confidence in reason, intellectual fair-mindedness, intellectual perseverance, and intellectual sense of justice, intellectual humility, and intellectual integrity (Paul & Elder, 2006, p. 5). Critical thinkers make a conscious effort to hold themselves as well as those with opposing viewpoints, to very high standards employing the intellectual standards. They also recognize these virtues are interdependent; they all work together.
Hold all viewpoints in a fair, unbiased, and unprejudiced light
Maintain the confidence to face ideas that challenge our thinking
See things from a different point of view
Hold ourselves and others to high standards
Continue to work through difficult problems
Respect evidence and reasoning
Value independence of thought
Once the intellectual standards are assessed, the critical thinker than seeks to improve the quality of thought. Critical thinkers understand the elements of reasoning. These elements are: purpose, question, information, inference, assumption, point of view, concepts, and implications (Elder & Paul, 2002).
Have a well defined purpose
Ask clear questions
Use only information that is relevant and accurate
Make logical conclusions based on only sound theories
Understand our own point of view, and...
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the art of thinking about thinking while thinking in order to make thinking better (Paul & Scriven, 2007). It is the ability to weigh each component of the decision-making process against intellectual standards and improve thinking. The quality of work, the quality of life, and the quality of relationships are defined by the quality of thinking. Critical thinking allows us to be more effective communicators and more efficient problem solvers.
The intellectual standards outlined in our text are: intellectual autonomy, intellectual empathy, intellectual courage, and intellectual confidence in reason, intellectual fair-mindedness, intellectual perseverance, and intellectual sense of justice, intellectual humility, and intellectual integrity (Paul & Elder, 2006, p. 5). Critical thinkers make a conscious effort to hold themselves as well as those with opposing viewpoints, to very high standards employing the intellectual standards. They also recognize these virtues are interdependent; they all work together.
Hold all viewpoints in a fair, unbiased, and unprejudiced light
Maintain the confidence to face ideas that challenge our thinking
See things from a different point of view
Hold ourselves and others to high standards
Continue to work through difficult problems
Respect evidence and reasoning
Value independence of thought
Once the intellectual standards are assessed, the critical thinker than seeks to improve the quality of thought. Critical thinkers understand the elements of reasoning. These elements are: purpose, question, information, inference, assumption, point of view, concepts, and implications (Elder & Paul, 2002).
Have a well defined purpose
Ask clear questions
Use only information that is relevant and accurate
Make logical conclusions based on only sound theories
Understand our own point of view, and...