Episode 1.1: What is Critical Thinking?
Summary
TLDRThis module introduces critical thinking as a deliberate, thoughtful process that involves reasoned judgment and careful analysis. It explains that critical thinking is not about being negative but about thoroughly evaluating claims using logic, evidence, and reasoning. The module emphasizes the value of understanding complex issues, assessing arguments, and applying this knowledge to real-world situations. It encourages students to challenge inherited beliefs, offer reasoned alternatives, and develop ownership over their thoughts, ultimately leading to well-supported decisions and actions.
Takeaways
- 🧠 Critical thinking is not about being negative or criticizing but involves thoughtful and reasoned consideration of arguments.
- 🔍 Critical thinking involves analyzing claims through an intentional, careful, and judicious process.
- 💡 The term 'critical' in critical thinking refers to an analytical approach rather than reflexive judgment.
- 📝 Critical thinking requires the use of logic and reason to evaluate arguments, not just emotion or intuition.
- 🤔 Judgment in critical thinking involves determining the truth or falsehood of a claim and applying it to real-world problems.
- 📚 Careful evaluation in critical thinking means examining all parts of an argument thoroughly and considering its complexity.
- 🌍 Critical thinking helps navigate complex and gray-area arguments, unlike black-and-white decisions.
- 🧩 Critical thinking encourages offering alternatives and fosters collective problem-solving through discussion.
- 👥 Critical thinking is essential for evaluating claims made by others, and defending one's own perspectives.
- 🎯 Critical thinking aims to develop reasoned judgments, enabling individuals to understand, justify, and take action based on their beliefs.
Q & A
What is the common misconception about critical thinking?
-A common misconception is that critical thinking means criticizing something negatively, whereas it actually involves thoughtfully reasoned consideration, not reflexive judgment.
How does the script define critical thinking?
-Critical thinking is defined as the careful application of reason to determine whether a claim is true or as judicious reasoning about what to believe and what to do.
What are the four key elements of critical thinking mentioned in the script?
-The four key elements of critical thinking are: 1) careful, intentional thinking, 2) the use of reason or logic, 3) judgment about beliefs, and 4) application to real-world problems.
Why is being careful and intentional important in critical thinking?
-Being careful and intentional ensures that the thinker is purposeful, deliberate, and thorough in evaluating an issue, taking into account all its complexity, breadth, and depth.
Is critical thinking a passive process? Why or why not?
-No, critical thinking is not passive. It involves an active evaluation of claims and arguments, with the goal of fully assessing each part of the claim and arriving at a reasoned conclusion.
What is an example of a black-and-white claim, as mentioned in the script?
-An example of a black-and-white claim is the argument from Columbus's time that ships sailing east would fall into space because the Earth is flat. This claim is easy to reject if you know the Earth is round.
How does critical thinking help in handling more complex issues?
-Critical thinking helps in complex issues by providing a logical process for evaluating whether to agree or disagree with a claim, explaining why, and offering alternatives to strengthen and clarify views.
What role does reason play in critical thinking?
-Reason is central to critical thinking because it allows individuals to apply logical evaluation to claims, as opposed to relying on emotion, intuition, or common sense alone.
How does critical thinking affect decision-making in real-world scenarios?
-Critical thinking helps individuals make informed decisions by carefully assessing the truth of claims and using that assessment to decide on appropriate actions, whether in personal, professional, or societal contexts.
Why is critical thinking valuable in professional settings, as demonstrated by the marketing assistant scenario?
-Critical thinking is valuable because it allows professionals to support their decisions with reason and evidence, making them stand out and gain recognition for thoughtful, well-supported conclusions.
Outlines
🔍 Understanding Critical Thinking and Its Purpose
This paragraph explains the definition of critical thinking, dispelling the misconception that it equates to being negative or critical. It emphasizes that critical thinking is a thoughtful, reasoned process, not a quick judgment. The goal is to evaluate claims carefully and analytically, involving reason, logic, and judgment about beliefs. It provides key components of critical thinking, such as being intentional, judicious, and focused on real-world problems. The paragraph also contrasts critical thinking with passive thinking and highlights how it applies to both simple and complex issues.
🧠 The Role of Reason in Critical Thinking
This paragraph emphasizes the importance of applying reason in the critical thinking process. It outlines how critical thinking requires evaluating claims not just based on emotion, intuition, or faith, but through careful reasoning. Emotional responses, such as fear, are examined through the lens of reason to assess their validity. The section illustrates how using reason allows individuals to probe deeper into their emotional reactions and make decisions based on thoughtful consideration.
📏 Judgments and Practical Applications of Critical Thinking
The third paragraph explains the practical purpose of critical thinking—making reasoned judgments about whether a claim is true and deciding on actions based on that judgment. It introduces a scenario involving a group project, where students must critically assess a peer's suggestion on how to proceed. This highlights the importance of questioning inherited opinions and using critical thinking to form independent, well-reasoned positions. The paragraph also touches on the broader societal relevance of critical thinking in addressing diverse and complex issues.
📈 Critical Thinking in Professional Decision-Making
This paragraph presents a workplace scenario where two employees propose different strategies for a marketing campaign. It underscores the value of critical thinking in professional environments by comparing unsupported claims with well-reasoned, evidence-based proposals. The employee who offers data-backed reasoning is more likely to gain recognition. This section highlights how critical thinking leads to deeper insights, informed decision-making, and the ability to defend one’s beliefs, ultimately leading to professional success and intellectual ownership.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Critical Thinking
💡Judiciousness
💡Reason
💡Judgment
💡Application
💡Emotions
💡Inherited Opinion
💡Beliefs
💡Alternative Arguments
💡Ownership of Beliefs
Highlights
Critical thinking is often misunderstood as negative or criticizing, but it's actually about thoughtfully reasoned consideration.
Critical thinking involves careful, intentional thinking, also known as judicious reasoning.
The goal of critical thinking is not just to accept or reject an argument but to evaluate all parts of a claim thoroughly.
Critical thinking requires time and deliberate effort to focus on the complexity, breadth, and depth of the issue at hand.
It is an active process aimed at moving us towards a greater understanding of complex social, ethical, and legal problems.
Critical thinking involves applying reason and logic, not just relying on emotion, intuition, or common sense.
Critical thinking allows us to determine whether a claim is true and to decide what actions to take based on that determination.
Judicious reasoning includes assessing whether an emotion or reaction, such as fear, is based on reasonable judgment.
The exercise of critical thinking helps us develop ownership of our beliefs, understanding why we hold them, and how to defend them.
Critical thinking can offer alternative viewpoints to strengthen and clarify positions, making it a tool for collective problem-solving.
Inherited opinions, often received from family or community, can be challenged and refined through critical thinking.
In situations like group projects or work scenarios, critical thinking helps assess the validity of arguments and choose the best approach.
Critical thinking requires offering reasons and evidence for our opinions, rather than simply expressing unsupported beliefs.
Through critical thinking, we develop insights and justifications that inform actions, leading to more thoughtful decisions.
Critical thinking ultimately leads to freedom of thought and opinion, where we understand and own our beliefs.
Transcripts
The Definition and Purpose of Critical Thinking
What comes to mind when someone says you need to use
“critical thinking”? Do you focus on the word
“critical”? Do you assume that thinking critically must be negative
requiring you to criticize or be critical if something you've
read, heard, or watched? The modules you will complete in this course will help you
understand
what critical thinking is and how you can do it.
As we go through this module, you will learn that thinking critically
should not be assumed to be synonymous with CRITICIZING
once you learn to think critically, you MIGHT criticize an argument or claim,
but your thinking will be thoughtfully reasoned consideration
NOT reflexive, quick, and unthinking judgment.
In the concept of critical thinking,
the term “critical” refers to a way of thinking, an analytical stance you take
with regards to assessing claims that you have read,
heard, or saw. In this module
we will explain the concept and activity of critical thinking
1) we will construct a useful, everyday definition of critical thinking
and identify what critical thinking is NOT; and 2) show
you the PURPOSE and VALUE of critical thinking.
According to one definition, critical thinking
is “the careful application of reason in the determination
of whether a claim is true.” Another definition
holds that critical thinking is “judicious reasoning
about what to believe and, therefore, what to do.” Let’s note the important pieces of
these definitions;
critical thinking requires: 1)
careful, intentional thinking also known as
judiciousness; 2) the use of reason or logic;
3) judgment about beliefs;
and finally 4) application to real world problems and issues.
Let's walk through these one by one. Careful and Intentional
First, consider the ideas are being “careful”
and “judicious.” Critical thinking is not a fast or easy process even if you know
how to do it.
To do it properly requires you to take your time.
Being careful and judicious requires you to be purposeful and deliberate in your
evaluation.
It also requires you to be thorough. To think critically
you have to focus on the issue at hand, taking in all its complexity,
breadth, and depth. Critical thinking
is NOT PASSIVE. The goal of critical thinking
is not simply to decide whether to accept or reject an argument
to register or “yea” or “nay” vote. In critical thinking
the goal is to fully evaluate all parts have a claim that someone has made
to assess each of its parts as well as the whole.
Certainly there are relatively easy black-and-white cases.
For example consider the claim that was made in the day of Columbus,
when people said, “Ships sailing east from Europe
will eventually fall into space because the earth is flat.”
You don't need to be an expert in critical thinking
to see this as an example of an argument that's pretty easy to reject in total
(assuming you know the earth is not flat). However,
much more often we are asked to think critically about more complex,
challenging claims or arguments that contain much more gray
than they do black or white. So in such cases it's much harder to say
“I agree” or “I disagree.” Critical thinking is the logical process that you go
through
to determine whether you agree or not. Critical thinking allows you to explain
WHY you disagree,
what parts as the claim argument you find wrong or troubling,
and even what argument you might make in its place.
As we proceed in learning about critical thinking, you'll find that by
offering alternatives to the argument, you and others involved strengthen and
clarify views and positions.
Thus, critical thinking can be seen as an exercise
in collective problem-solving. Throughout these critical thinking modules,
you will be asked to take what you learn and apply it in class.
That means, thinking critically about what you're reading,
as well as claims made by your professor and classmates.
Sometimes you will have to critically evaluate claims made by others.
Other times you'll be asked actively defend your own claims,
which will require you to think critically about your own perspectives
and positions.
Critical thinking is not a process that most people do in their daily activities.
But it's important to both your understanding of what other people say
and what you think and say to others.
At times you may struggle to use the critical thinking process – and that's
okay.
Number two – Reason or Logic
So, critical thinking is an active process meant to move us –
whether it's a class or another community that you belong to –
towards greater understanding of difficult economic,
social, ethical, and legal problems.
In order to do this effectively, critical thinking requires applying
REASON. Over the next few modules, we will examine more deeply
“reason”: we will develop yardsticks for assessing whether an argument is a
product of good, thoughtful reasoning.
We will compare reason with other ways of judging or reacting to claims.
For example, people often make decisions based on pure emotion
intuition, faith, or common sense.
Utilizing reason does not necessarily mean throwing these sensibilities –
emotion, intuition, etcetera – out the window.
It's not cold, hard, or unfeeling.
But critical thinking requires putting these other ways of thinking and reacting
under the microscope of reason. For example,
many people decide not to try certain activities because, they say,
“I’m too scared I can't go running tonight.”
“I don't have anyone else to run with and I'm afraid of running by myself at night.”
Fear, like all emotions can either be justified
or unfounded when we expose this emotional response to reason,
we can determine whether it's justified or not. Are there good reasons to be
fearful a running alone at night?
Is the area known for crime? Are there wild
animals are dogs to worry about? Is it easy to get lost?
By asking these kinds of questions we can probe to see whether our emotion –
fear – is the product of a reasonable assessment of the situation.
3) and 4) Judgments and Application
Finally, let's consider these last two pieces of the definition of critical
thinking –
determining whether a claim is true and deciding how to act
based on that determination. These speak to the PURPOSE of critical thinking.
When we engage in critical thinking, our goal is to determine whether the claim
before us is true or not,
and then to use that assessment to decide what action
or actions to take. Ultimately,
when we were asked to think critically we are being asked to take a position
regarding the truth or acceptability of something we've read, heard, or watched.
While the exercise of critical thinking is not biased toward one outcome or the
other,
in the end, we are expected to have a REASONED judgment
about whether we disagree or agree with the claim or argument.
So why do we need to take a position or pass judgment?
Let's consider the following scenario: one of your classes require students to
complete a group project
worth fifty percent of the final grade. You are put into a group
with four other students. At your first meeting one of your group member says,
“Listen, I've done this whole group project thing before and it's a real
pain in the butt.
Nobody really likes working with other people, and we all just end up fighting
anyway.
It's too hard to split up the parts of the project – no one's
ever happy with their part. Last time I had to do one of these things
we decided that each of us would just do the whole project.
Then we shared our reports and voted on the best one.
That's the one we turn in the professor We should do the same thing for this
class.”
Is this a good argument? Do you agree with all of the claims he made?
Do those claims necessarily lead to his conclusion about
how to handle the project? Should you go along with your classmate,
or is there a better way to handle the project? Remember
50 percent of your final grade is at stake here!
Your classmates had certain experiences that make you believe that doing group
project work separately
as individuals is better than dividing up the tasks among the group.
If you simply accept his belief without question without thinking about it
critically,
you may come to share his belief simply as an “inherited opinion.”
An inherited opinion means that you believe completing group projects this
way
is better because someone else told you it was better.
Now, many of us hold inherited opinions on a lot of topics. Frequently ore
political,
moral, and ethical beliefs have been handed down to us by our families our
communities.
How many of us could actually provide evidence or reasons for those beliefs,
if asked to do so? But we are often required to do just that.
We live in a diverse complicated world in which people hold widely different
views on many topics.
Individuals, communities, businesses, and governments need to decide
what to do you on many issues that are the subject
a strong disagreements. Critical thinking
will help us both offer reasons for our own positions on what action should be
taken
AND effectively evaluate the reasons offered by others,
To see how important critical thinking can be consider this scenario:
you're working as a marketing assistant for a marketing company.
You've been in that position for a few years, and you're looking to catch the
attention to your supervisor.
You know there's a marketing manager position opening up soon and you've got
your eye on it.
You want to distinguish yourself. Fortunately,
an opportunity presents itself. Your supervisor asked both you
and your co-worker (who's also an assistant) what you think the company
should focus on for an
upcoming ad campaign. Should they invest more resources in
traditional marketing venues – like print and TV ads for example,
or in innovative online and social media venues?
Wanting to seem like you're on top of things and ready to go,
you respond quickly with an email: “Definitely traditional venues.
And here's how we should spend the money in those venues.”
Your co-worker doesn't respond right away, but the next day offers her
assessment:
“We should go with online and social media. I’ve attached a detailed report
showing recent trends and market research, with data that demonstrates the
increase return on investment a social media marketing campaigns
compared with traditional venues.”
Who do you think will get the attention of the supervisor? The employee who made
an unsupported claims about what to do
(you) or the employee who offered evidence in a reason for her position?
Taking the time to assess beliefs and opinions – to think critically about them –
gives us insight and understanding that we would not have developed
without critical thinking. Insight and understanding
leads to justification for taking or
not taking certain actions, but it also gives us
ownership over our beliefs. As we think critically about her own and
others beliefs, we develop the skills that allow us to know why we believe
what we believe.
We can offer evidence in reason to defend our beliefs and that reason
giving leads us to actions that fit with our beliefs.
Ultimately, we have true freedom of thought and opinion
that comes when we know what we believe and why.
This module has provided you with a working definition of critical thinking.
You should now be able to explain what critical thinking is
and how it's different from other types of thought.
You should understand the key features of critical thinking, and
to appreciate its purpose and value.
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