Critical Thinknig

The human mind is said to be one of the bodies most of important organs but few have used the brain to its fullest extent. Critical thinking is used by many people from philosophers to scientist alike. Critical thinking is discussed in excerpts from James Meiland’s “The Difference Between High School and College” and in Greg R. Haskins “A Practical Guide to Critical Thinking.” The excerpt from Meiland discusses new types of intellectual work requiring a new form of thought, which is critical thinking. Haskin’s guide demonstrates practices to critical thinking. Both discuss aspects of a critical thinker and different ways to becoming a critical thinker. Critical thinking is a key thought process that requires the proper attitude, the ability to identify and characterize arguments, recognize and avoid critical thinking hindrances, and evaluate information sources.

A key aspect of being a critical thinker is having the proper attitude. Jack Meiland, for example, argues that students and teachers must have an attitude of “skepticism” for the examination of reasons for beliefs. A critical thinker is one with ability to see through his own biases and by being both open-minded and skeptical an individual can experience both sides. Skepticism is a healthy trait for a critical thinker. Being skeptical encourages people to question beliefs and authority. However, too much skepticism can lead one to believing everything and shut out the information that is truly valuable. According to Haskins a critical thinker “must restrain one’s desire to believe” doing so will “lead one to doubt everything and commit oneself to nothing.” Critical thinkers are those who can freely make considerations of their own, those who do not hinder their ability to critically think. Both Meiland and Haskin agree with the importance of skepticism, but Haskin suggest that having “intellectual humility” is as equally important. Intellectual humility allows one to consider the possibility that they...