Critical Thinking Edit

Critical Thinking
How well do you think?

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and
rationally i.e. analyzing information objectively (not
influenced by personal feelings or opinions) about
what to do or what to believe. It is a skill that allows
you to make logical and informed decisions to the
best of your ability. It is about being an active learner
rather than a passive recipient of information.
For example, a child who
has not yet developed such
skills might believe the
Tooth Fairy left money
under their pillow based on
stories their parents told
them. A critical thinker,
however, can quickly
conclude that the existence
of such a thing is probably
unlikely—even if there are
a few bucks under their
pillow.
 Someone with critical thinking skills is able to
understand the logical connections between ideas;
identify, construct and evaluate arguments; detect
inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning;
solve problems systematically; identify the relevance
and importance of ideas; reflect on the justification of
one's own beliefs and values.
Critical Thinking Skills
Observe
 The first step in the critical thinking process is to
identify the situation or problem as well as the
factors that may influence it. Once you have a clear
picture of the situation and the people, groups or
factors that may be influenced, you can then begin to
dive deeper into an issue and its potential solutions.
 What can be the reason for a situation? What are the
outcomes, and how could they change?
Evaluate
 Next, evaluate the source of information or an idea
to determine how strong or valid it is.
 Does the person posing the argument offer where
they got this information from? If you ask or try to
find it yourself and there’s no clear answer, that
should be considered a red flag.
You also need to identify the biases in the
argument. Ask:
 Who does this benefit?
 Does the source of this information appear to have an
agenda?
 Is the source overlooking, ignoring or leaving out
information that doesn’t support its beliefs or claims?
 Is this source using unnecessary language to sway an
audience’s perception of a fact?
Inference
 Then, based on the raw data, you will need to draw
conclusions on the basis of reasoning and evidence.
 It is also important to note that not all inferences will
be correct. For example, if you read that someone
weighs 260 pounds, you might infer they are
overweight or unhealthy. Other data points like
height and body composition, however, may alter
that conclusion.
The Critical Thinking Process
 You should be aware that none of us think critically all the
time.
 Sometimes we think in almost any way but critically, for
example when our self-control is affected by anger, grief or
joy etc.
 On the other hand, the good news is that, since our critical
thinking ability varies according to our current mindset,
most of the time we can learn to improve our critical
thinking ability by developing certain routine activities and
applying them to all problems that present themselves.
 Once you understand the theory of critical thinking,
improving your critical thinking skills takes persistence and
practice.
Try this simple exercise to help you to start
thinking critically.
Think of something that someone has recently told you. Then ask
yourself the following questions:
 Who said it? Someone you know? Someone in a position of authority
or power? Does it matter who told you this?
 What did they say? Did they give facts or opinions? Did they
provide all the facts? Did they leave anything out?
 Where did they say it? Was it in public or in private? Did other
people have a chance to respond an provide an alternative account?
 When did they say it? Was it before, during or after an important
event? Is timing important?
 Why did they say it? Did they explain the reasoning behind their
opinion? Were they trying to make someone look good or bad?
 How did they say it? Were they happy or sad, angry or indifferent?
Did they write it or say it? Could you understand what was said?
Here is another example,
 I may make a quick first reading to get the overall picture and check my
initial response. I see whether it rings true or contradicts what I believe
to be true.
 I compare what I read with what I already know about the topic and with
my experience.
 I summarise as I go along, and hold the overall argument in my head to
make sense of what comes next.
 I look for the author's position or point of view, asking 'What are they
trying to "sell me"?'
 As I read, I check each section and ask myself if I know what it means.
If not, I check again - sometimes it is clearer when I read the second
time. If it is still unclear, I remind myself to come back to it later as the
rest of the passage may make it clearer.
 …
…
 I then read more carefully, seeing what reasons the writers
present and checking whether I am persuaded by these.
 If I am persuaded, I consider why. Is it because they make use of
experts in the field? Is there research evidence that looks
thorough and convincing?
 If I am not persuaded, then why not? I check if this is a 'gut
level' (if you know something at gut level, you feel sure about it)
thing or whether I have good reasons for not being convinced. If
I have relied on a gut response, I check for hard evidence such
as whether I have read other material that contradicts it.
 I then create my own position, and check that my own point of
view is convincing. Could I support it if I was challenged?

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Critical Thinking

How well do you think?

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