Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

1. Definition

   • Critical thinking is 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.

2. Elements of Though

   • Point of view
   • Purpose
   • Information
   • Assumptions
   • Question at issue
   • Concepts
   • Interpretation and inference
   • Implications and consequences

3. Reasoning

   • All reasoning has a purpose.
   • All reasoning is a an attempt to figure something out.
   • All reasoning is based on data, information, and evidence.
   • All reasoning leads somewhere or has implications and consequences.
   • All reasoning contains inferences or interpretations by which we make conclusins.
   • All reasoning is based on assumptions.
   • All reasoning is done from some point of view.
   • All reasoning is expressed through and shaped by concepts and ideas.

4. Egocentric thinking

   • Egocentric thinking results from the unfortunate fact that humans don't naturally consider the rights and needs of others.
     • "It is true because I believe it"
     • "It is true because it is in my selfish interest to believe it"
     • "It is true because we believe it"
     • "It is true because I want to believe it"
     • "It is true because I have always believed it"