What is Critical Thinking?
No one always
acts purely objectively and rationally. We connive for selfish
interests.
We gossip, boast, exaggerate, and equivocate. It is "only human"
to wish to
validate our prior knowledge, to vindicate our prior decisions, or to
sustain
our earlier beliefs. In the process of satisfying our ego, however, we
can often
deny
ourselves intellectual growth and opportunity. We may not always
want to apply
critical thinking skills, but we should have those skills available to
be
employed when needed.
Critical
thinking includes a complex combination of skills. Among the main
characteristics are the following:
Rationality
We
are thinking critically when we
- rely on reason
rather than emotion,
- require
evidence, ignore no known evidence, and follow evidence where it leads,
and
- are concerned
more with finding the best explanation than being right analyzing
apparent confusion and asking questions.
Self-awareness
We are thinking
critically when we
- weigh the
influences of motives and bias, and
- recognize our
own assumptions, prejudices, biases, or point of view.
Honesty
We
are thinking critically when we
recognize emotional impulses, selfish
motives, nefarious purposes, or other modes of self-deception.
Open-mindedness
We
are thinking critically when we
- evaluate all
reasonable inferences
- consider a
variety of possible viewpoints or perspectives,
- remain open to
alternative interpretations
- accept a new
explanation, model, or paradigm because it explains the evidence
better, is simpler, or has fewer inconsistencies or covers more data
- accept new
priorities in response to a reevaluation of the evidence or
reassessment of our real interests, and
- do not reject
unpopular views out of hand.
Discipline
We
are thinking critically when we
- are precise,
meticulous, comprehensive, and exhaustive
- resist
manipulation and irrational appeals, and
- avoid snap
judgments.
Judgment
We
are thinking critically when we
- recognize the
relevance and/or merit of alternative
assumptions and perspectives
- recognize the
extent and weight of evidence
In sum,
- Critical
thinkers are by natureskeptical. They approach texts with the
same
skepticism and suspicion as they approach spoken remarks.
- Critical
thinkers
areactive, not passive. They ask questions and
analyze. They consciously
apply tactics and strategies to uncover meaning or assure their
understanding.
- Critical
thinkers do not take an egotistical view of the world. They areopento
new ideas and perspectives. They are
willing to challenge their beliefs and investigate competing evidence.
Critical thinking
enables us to recognize a wide range of subjective analyses of
otherwise objective data, and to evaluate how well each analysis might
meet
our needs. Facts may be facts, but how we interpret them may vary.
By
contrast, passive, non-critical thinkers take a simplistic view of
the world.
- They see things
in black and white, as either-or, rather than recognizing a
variety of possible understanding.
- They see
questions as yes or no
with no subtleties.
- They fail to
see linkages and
complexities.
- They fail to
recognize related
elements.
Non-critical thinkers
take an egotistical
view of the world
- They
taketheirfacts as the only relevant ones.
- They
taketheir ownperspective as the only sensible one.
- They
taketheir goalas the only valid one.
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