Submitted by: Submitted by 206476
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Category: English Composition
Date Submitted: 02/26/2012 02:38 PM
Critical thinking Overview
We begin with Chapter 8a which is the introduction for critical thinking and the essence of what critical thinking is. They discuss the complexities and the relevance to our lives. They define critical thinking as the art of thinking about thinking to make it better. The chapter introduces the idea of testing and examining ones thought process. The question is asked “How skilled are you as a thinker?” The best thinkers have the ability to think well in every part of their lives. Poor thinking causes problems and waste time. They redefine critical thinking as self directed, self disciplined, self monitored and self corrective thinking. To become a critic of your thinking this is to improve yourself by practicing skilled thinking and lifelong learning. The chapter asks us to establish new thought habits and develop confidence in your ability to reason and figure things out.
In Chapter 8b we review standards for thinking are intellectual; these standards must be applied to thinking whenever one is interested in checking the quality of reasoning about a problem, issue, or situation. The chapter states to think critically entails having command of these standards. Questions are posed which will help others be accountable for their thinking. The goal is for these questions to become infused in a person’s thinking. As part of their inner voice, this then guides them to a better reasoning. Here are some standards and questions. Clarity: Could you elaborate further on that point? Accuracy: Is that really true? Precision: Could you give more details? Relevance: How is that connected to the question? Depth: How does your answer address the complexities in the question? Breadth: Do we need to consider another point of view? Logic: Does this really make sense? Fairness: Do I have a vested interest in this issue? As much as these standards might help us but they also cause problems. They cause basic and often serious mistakes in thinking....