critical thinking example

critical thinking example

The Importance of Critical Thinking

1. Introduction

In today’s fast-paced global economy, we are inundated with information. We are required to make decisions on a constant basis. Too often, we make decisions impulsively and ill-formed, resulting in disastrous results. It is estimated that most of the critical decisions are made within the first few minutes of in-depth analysis. 50 years later, man is still making decisions to go to war that are killing thousands of people and costing millions of dollars based on the quick and very likely ill-formed decisions by a select few individuals. The technology may have changed, but the mindset has not. It is clear that we need a change in how we think and decide for the better of our world. We need to own a mindset of improvement. Through a combination of the effects of globalization and the information age, we are changing the structure of thinking that many take for granted. The current push towards improving education so that the economy can be bolstered through critical thinking and innovative research has brought about much change to the traditional ways of education. We are slowly transitioning from rote learning (students repeat what the teacher tells them) to a more value-taking approach, creating sound-minded students possessing a joy of learning to be able to pursue lifelong learning. Now more than ever, we must redefine both students’ and teachers’ roles in their journey towards critical thinking.

2. Definition and Characteristics of Critical Thinking

It is important to know what to do and how to do it. It is not enough for a man to know how to ride and never ride; the value of the knowledge is in the demonstration of it. That it is more noble to have a knowledge of strength and weakness of human thinking than to know the way of the stars. For it is less harmful to men to be ignorant of things proceeding from necessity than of things which depend on their own inclination. The teaching of critical thinking focuses on how to distinguish good from bad thinking, and fruitful from unfruitful thinking. Good thinking has many characteristics. The following are the most significant: it is purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed. It is the kind of thinking we do with a purpose. It is reasoned; it is not impulsive and making judgment in haste because thinking is a complex activity which dictates conscious intellectual effort and internal dialogue. Critical thinking is an active process; it also discovers and identifies problems. When the thinkers have identified a problem, they can apply criteria to focus on and understand it. With the help of critical thinkers, they can come to understand the depth and complexities of the problems. Lastly, critical thinking helps to identify and make decisions. Good thinking is thinking that leads to desirable results, and bad thinking is the opposite. All of the problems in our life are the result of bad thinking, and the only way to overcome them is to improve on our thinking. Good thinking is not only logical thinking. Critical thinking is a systematic thinking in order to understand and assess an advice and all ideologies. Logic is one of the instruments used in good thinking, but it is not the only instrument used in critical thinking. Logical thinking is important, but it is difficult to teach and it must be supported with intellect and hard work. Logic can also be biased due to its tools, and its outcome can be determined by the user. Logical thinking also does not identify what is good and its ideologies. As Saidina Ali in Nahjul Balagah said, “Know that what is straight is crooked, and what is crooked is straight. You are safe from what you think is from the right, and you are in danger in what you think is wrong. The right and wrong are two indistinct roads. The crooked way resembles the straight, and the slippery path resembles the firm way. The intellect of some men becomes the guide for their passion, and they go astray without realizing it.” From the start of logic until today, it is still difficult to identify what is the right idea and the right path. Logical intellectuals are often faced with the issue of not knowing whether what they are discussing is right and acceptable.

3. Benefits of Developing Critical Thinking Skills

The benefits of critical thinking are significant. One understands that the ability to think critically is an asset in every aspect of one’s life. It includes a method that helps us to define the problem from various aspects. Further, it helps us to find and evaluate the possible solutions to the problems in order to find the most effective solution. One can make a clear, precise and accurate plan to translate thoughts and ideas into solutions. This is a crucial element for making decisions in individual or collective problem solving. Critical thinking helps us to separate the two, and as a result, we develop a more reflective thought that helps us to make a better decision. With critical thinking being important in all aspects of our daily and academic lives, it is essential that those in education, especially at the post-secondary level, learn critical thinking skills. Without these skills, we cannot guarantee a better future for our world and it’s important we begin to take a stance now.

4. Strategies for Enhancing Critical Thinking

Another strategy is to reflect on the issue or problem at hand. This should be done continuously, in the beginning, during and at the end of the problem-solving process. By using written and verbal reflection, students are able to clearly demonstrate their understanding of an issue or a problem, the depth of their thinking, and possible alternative solutions. This could also help an individual to become more effective in the decision-making process. By looking at their reasoning, they can critique their own judgment and identify possible flaws in their decision-making process.

One strategy for enhancing critical thinking is a technique referred to as Socratic questioning. This involves asking and answering questions to stimulate rational thinking and illuminate ideas. To achieve this, a student would question their understanding as well as the question, issue, or problem at hand. It is a systematic and disciplined approach to questioning that aims to highlight often overlooked information. This could then lead to a re-evaluation of their beliefs and the possible replacement of previous decisions because of greater clarity and insight. The Socratic method is based on the idea that students will be able to learn more efficiently if they believe the knowledge has come from themselves. This level of question and answer is productive and will lead to significant educational achievement.

5. Conclusion

Based on the ideas put across in the essay, the importance of critical thinking can clearly be seen. It is a valuable tool in being able to evaluate and make decisions effectively. It is also highly useful in problem solving as it can result in higher quality solutions. More creative input is often the result of using critical thinking to come up with a solution. It is a better way to live life than just following the herd and doing what other people tell you to do. Critical thinking can also be used to build a convincing argument, as if done properly it will stand solid and be well thought through. Once all of the facts have been established and minds have been changed using critical thinking, it can be used as a guide to behavior. The most informed decision is likely to be the best one and critical thinking accumulates a depth of information which is useful. This essay has attempted to show the importance of critical thinking in the classroom. It has tried to show that it is not simple rote learning or checking remembering facts for a test. Critical thinking is a major part in being successful in learning and it has been proven it has other benefits such as being able to act more effectively and more quickly in making decisions. Throughout studying this subject, I have arrived at the conclusion that both critical thinking and learning are mostly driven by intrinsic motivation. Those who perpetually ask “Why?” “What if?” and “Is this a plausible solution?” regarding a certain problem, and have motivation to reach a viable solution, are generally more successful in developing critical thinking skills. Likewise, it is also those who have a strong desire to learn and understand things, rather than the grade at the end, who develop better critical thinking skills. In understanding this concept, it is apparent that our country’s over-emphasis on grades in schools is plaguing the development of critical thinking in our students.