Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the study of clear and unclear thinking. The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking defines critical thinking as the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.’

 

critical-thinking

 

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 downright prejudiced. Errors or tricks of reasoning are Logical Fallacies. 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 that mode of thinking — about any subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is 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, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.

To Analyze Thinking

Identify its purpose, and question at issue, as well as its information, inferences(s), assumptions, implications, main concept(s), and point of view.

To Assess Thinking
Check it for clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, significance, logic, and fairness.

 

The Result

A well-cultivated critical thinker:

  • Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely
  • Gathers and assesses relevant information/evidence, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively
  • Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards
  • Thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as needs be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences
  • Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems

EDUCATION OPTIONS

Biblically-based Critical Thinking Course

Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry (CARM) online School of Critical Thinking is designed to take you step-by-step through the basics of rational discourse, logic, and basic principles of analysis. A lot of critical thinking books are conceptually demanding, but the CARM online School takes the basics of critical thinking concepts and applies them to the issues dealing with the Christian faith, its establishment, and its defense.PilgrimsBeacon Note: This is one of my treasured Christian resources.  The course tuition is $33, however, you can read the introduction by clicking HERE.  *** PilgrimsBeacon does not make any money from this endorsement.

 

Wireless Philosophy Youtube

 

 

Foundation For Critical Thinking

foundation for critical thinking logo

The Foundation For Critical Thinking is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote essential change in education and society through the cultivation of fairminded critical thinking–thinking which embodies intellectual empathy, intellectual humility, intellectual perseverance, intellectual integrity, and intellectual responsibility.
Many of our resources, publications, and materials are applicable to all professions and across all domains of thought. They do, however, recognize that the depth and breadth of content they offer may be daunting. They have therefore created the following pages as starting points for your studies.

Critical Thinkers Academy

Philosopher Kevin de Laplante will introduce you to key concepts in logic and argumentation, cognitive biases and fallacies of reasoning, how to write good argumentative essays, and many more topics related to critical thinking and effective communication.  Critical Thinkers Academy is $9 at the time of this writing.

 

See the course here: criticalthinkeracademy.com

 

CRITICAL THINKING is the antithesis of LOGICAL FALLACIES