Critical Thoughts

a. How have critical thinking skills in humans actually evolved over time?

The definition of critical thinking, according to Encarta is: “having an intellectual criticism that combines research, having knowledge of historical context and balanced judgment.” Based on that definition the evolution of critical thinking has grown with more documents and scholars to do research on, having more historical data to base theories and judgments on, and having more documents to reference during a critical thinking process. In the beginning a critical thinking process was formed off of the opinion of an individual, or a single thought process. As time evolved, those original thoughts and processes were recorded and have intertwined with the newer thoughts and processes of critical thinkers.

Technology has also played a role in evolving the critical thinking process. Knowledge, history, opinions and observations are all part of the critical thinking process. Today’s technology makes what was a difficult research process in yester year an instantaneous process.

b. How have the principles of logic helped shape modern science and technology?

Logic is the science which directs the operations of the mind in the attainment of truth. The principles of logic are existence, identity, uniqueness, specificity, excluded middle and non-contradiction. Its most important applications are the search for inconsistencies in stories or reports and the identification of valid and invalid forms of reasoning or argumentation. The use of modern technology in finding sources to reference, or who did what, when, where and how is instantaneous with the science and technology of today. The principles of logic and modern technology together give critical thinkers instant gratification.

c. How does a critical analysis of one's society and self contribute to a particular internal and/or external perspective on the world?

A critical analysis of society allows a person to research the surrounding...