Why Critical Thinking?
The
Problem:
Everyone
thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is
biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down-right prejudiced. Yet the
quality of our life and that of what we produce, make, or build depends
precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in
money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be
systematically cultivated.
A
Definition:
Critical
thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to
improving it.
The
Result:
A well cultivated critical thinker:
1. raises vital questions and problems,
formulating them clearly and precisely;
2. gathers and assesses relevant
information, using abstract ideas to interpret it
effectively;
3. comes to well-reasoned conclusions and
solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
4. thinks open-mindedly within alternative
systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions,
implications, and practical consequences; and
5. communicates effectively with others in
figuring out solutions to complex problems.
Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed,
self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It requires
rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails
effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to
overcoming our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.