Dear Ms R. N. Uchem, 

Think about it. Would you want that your children to be able to think.

Most children do not learn to think in school. Unfortunately  schools

mostly teach encyclopedic information and everybody call  that “education.”

When we use critical thinking we really use several ways to learn. Asking

questions, drawing concept maps, studying layouts, comparing and contrasting,

using metaphors and analogies, developing inferences, and other

techniques all contribute to better learning that also can be well structured

and logical.The most important thing is that your students not only will think critically but also will likely enjoy learning and achieving.

I hope I have been of some help.

Regards,

Andrija

Critical thinking is beneficial and harmful because that is when the brain is at its peak and solution to issues are given. It is God given

Critical thinking is behind the critical rationalism of the philosopher of science Karl Popper.

Dear Ms R. N. Uchem, 

Think about it. Would you want that your children to be able to think.

Most children do not learn to think in school. Unfortunately  schools

mostly teach encyclopedic information and everybody call  that “education.”

When we use critical thinking we really use several ways to learn. Asking

questions, drawing concept maps, studying layouts, comparing and contrasting,

using metaphors and analogies, developing inferences, and other

techniques all contribute to better learning that also can be well structured

and logical.The most important thing is that your students not only will think critically but also will likely enjoy learning and achieving.

I hope I have been of some help.

Regards,

Andrija

Dear Sr.

Critical thinking is a mode of thinking that clearly states the problem, generates factual information and reasons, analyze and profer solution without bias.

It is beneficial and an important skill that every reasonable person should strive to develop.

Developing this skill involves other skills like self-discipline, rational thinking, decision making among others.

Critical thinking seems to be scarce in schools because of our lazy attitude to learning. Teachers do not engage students in applied learning. However, it is not as if critical thinking is scarce among adults in our society but I think it's being influenced by selfish interest and corruption. 

Critical thinking can be transmitted in schools through methods like discussion, role play and applied evaluation questions. Equity, sincerity and 

Balogun, please I do not understand your response. Please clarify.

Critical thinking is about being rational, it is about listening to different points of views, being methodical and use reason to come up with the best solution for a given issue in a specific point in time - because even if one variable changes you may need to adjust your thinking and come up with a new solution. Nothing is absolute or dogmatic and God has nothing to do with it.

It is developed and nurtured. It starts at an early age at home, from the parents who should explain their decisions to their kids instead of saying "because I say so". Then teachers need to reinforce that through problem solving on practical terms. 

What Is critical thinking? Critical thinking, from one point of view, is a state of mind, in which, everything is not taken for granted, but, a person tries to see 'behind' it.

Is it beneficial or harmful? From my experience, I consider that critival thinking is beneficial, because it can help a person to improve their quality of life.

How is it acquired? Life shows the way, especially, when someone has a strong will to learn and not repeat the same mistakes.

Regards

Critical thinking is definitely beneficial, and not harmful. Critical thinking helps us understand life in general, and through understanding, making progress. Through critical thinking and the application of logic (applying logic is part of learning to think critically) we, as a society, can move forward. I feel that the harm comes from people being absolutely incapable of thinking critically.

I have only recently understood the concept of critical thinking after going to univeristy. It is like a new muscle that I am still learning to use. At university, teachers encouraged you to think critically, as they should, it is university after all, although some just said you can achieve it by 'questioning everything'. That in itself is a statement that means nothing. Students got cocky and thought that questioning everything also includes questions like: why should I have to study for an exam? Why do lectures start at 09.00? Although asking questions, it is not what was meant by the lecturers. I feel that the most important step in learning to think critically starts with questioning what it is you think you know before you open your mouth with an answer. After that, it also involves verifying what you know, so that we can arrive as close as possible to the truth.

Thinking critically also means that you can recognise flaws (logical fallacies) in arguments - the arguments of others, but also the flaws in your own argument. When fellow students were told to proof read other student's essays as an exercise in giving feedback, they could identify every spelling and grammatical error, but none could recognise a flawed argument.

Through primary school and high school they had been drilled to not make any mistakes, but not taught how to actually think critically. Pupils and students are taught that making mistakes is bad and shameful, instead of pointing out how you learn from mistakes.

It is depended of your own spatial and contextual position if critical thinking is harmful or beneficial. From our academic perspective most likely beneficial. Still, it is a normative perspective and only one way to look at the world. Moreover people combine critical thinking skills with religious beliefs or moral beliefs causing all kinds of epistemological tensions. Which indicates that different knowledge systems  exist within persons and can be activated depending on context. I think you should be careful with being hierarchical in personal epistemologies.

Is this not beneficial?

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkai.bleker%2Fvideos%2F1099167050200114

Critical thinking is the objective analysis of information relevant to an issue, and the subsequent integration of the results to form a reasoned judgment.

A critical thinker tags all information with an identifier of its source. Regardless of whether information is religious/spiritual (which generally comes to us through intermediaries) or secular, it should always be subject to question and revision.

A good critical thinker knows that the world is what it is; nothing is fated to occur and anything can be changed; and so a better world is always available if you're willing to put in the requisite work.

Critical thinking is a capability that is only as beneficial as you are good at it. It is scarce because so many people learn to be bad critical thinkers and it is difficult to unlearn that skill.

The most important requirement for becoming a good critical thinker is to avoid deifying the sources of your information. It is not your subjective opinion of your source that should define your judgment of the information it provides, but how useful any judgment based on that information proves to be in your navigation of your world.

Critical thinking  is clear and unbiased thoughtful consideration of matters at hand which includes debating issues, problem solving, conflict resolution, due process, and other forms of decision making with or without incomplete knowledge.   Please refer to the following link for more details:

Reference link:  https://plus.google.com/115467095957398372179/posts/Et1PNpuxReK?sfc=true

A very good question and one that needs to be reflected upon. Its important from the outset that we assume that critical thinking is a specific skillset that goes beyond normal or regular thinking.

To me critical thinking is a process by which an individual can call upon a range of information sources and make judgements about their relevance to the situation in  hand and then formulate a response based on that analysis.

Beneficial or harmful? Depends on your point of view. On the whole though I would say that I would feel more comfortable knowing that someone was making decisions based on a range of information beyond their own personal experience and was making an effort to be analytical before making a decision.

How is it acquired? Practice. Practice and good feedback that encourages people to practice some more. Combine this with an innate awareness of our fallibility and we'll be ok.

A fascinating facet of thinking. It is very powerful to have the intellectual curiosity to ask "WHY" every now and then. You don't need to rebel, just question!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/were-all-misfit-consumers-we-need-inclusive-design/article31587796/

Dear Dr. Uchem,

Critical thinking is one face of scientific thinking which reflects the natural human curiosity. However, exaggeration in any behavior could bring about negative outputs. Please check the following links.

Best regards

SM Najim

http://www.criticalthinking.org/files/Concepts_Tools.pdf

http://images.pearsonassessments.com/images/tmrs/CriticalThinkingReviewFINAL.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260015082_An_integrated_critical_thinking_framework_for_the_21st_century

Article An integrated critical thinking framework for the 21st century

A simple definition introduced by Halpern (2007, p. 6): critical thinking is the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned, and goal directed – the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions, when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task. 

Critical thinking helps strengthen our higher order thinking/skills as a result of sound judgement, analysis, and synthesis. However, critical thinking requires open-mindedness in accepting new knowledge and ideas/solving problems that some people find difficulty to learn/use critical thinking (Halpern, 2007). 

• Halpern, D. F., (2007) The nature and nurture of critical thinking, in Sternberg, R. J., Roediger III, H. L. and Halpern, D. F. (Eds.), Critical Thinking in Psychology, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY,  Chapter One, pp. 1-14. 

Critical thinking is defined as the mental process of actively and skillfully perception, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of collected information through observation, experience and communication that leads to a decision for action.

it is beneficial to the people to improve their  knowledge to their respective fields.

Dear @Uchem, I have taken part in some related research questions on critical thinking. I do bring this links here, as there are many good responses and resources available.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_to_Develop_Critical_Thinking

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Critical_thinking_vs_truth_in_education

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_really_is_thinking

Unfortunately I must disagree with most of the answers being offered here. There is no 'data' pre-existing in the environment. Critical thinking, from my perspective, starts from this realization. We can cut the universe into any number of units of analysis. Any knowledge can only be a map of a territory. We can never have complete access to any territory. Critical knowledge is about finding the best map for the task at hand.

Hi,

Critical thinking means that we do not accept information as is, but we are reviewing it from several angles, we are considering the source of the information, we are extending our knowledge base as to this piece of information, and then we decide if it is reliable or not. Unfortunately, this desired process is rare, and most people tend to accept information as is, and in this the reason behind the emergence of many conflicts. 

Agree with most of responses already, although I might add that it ideally requires an awareness of the epistemology of the subject/discipline first e.g. what level and type of support is needed; what methodology etc. 

As for the level of critical thinking taught at schools, based on the number of students brought up in the UK who trust what they read in the media e.g. BBC, I'd say it's pretty low.

You ask: "Why is it so scarce everywhere?" I suspect that the answer is that critical thinking wasn't necessary for evolutionary success on the plains of Africa.  Instead, accepting - without question - the instructions of your parents was critical.

You missed the point about 'everywhere,' Kenneth. That includes the US. I found lack of critical thinking in the US a lot, and still see much of it. You talk about parents in Africa. How about the media that have taken the place of your parents in the US? Please take instruction and mind your language. RU.

Dear Uchem:

The notion of "critical thinking" is used with different meanings. In my view, it is related to the fact that our knowledge is always based on some assumptions and not always --or perhaps rarely outside the world of science and philosophy-- those assumptions are made explicit.

When we can distance ourselves from our worldviews and examine objectively our assumptions on a particular area of reality, we are in a better position to reject false ideas, make discoveries, think creatively on the subject, etc. This is, in my view, a crucial part of "critical thinking". 

I think that philosophical thought is a good training for critical thinking. 

Although internet has allowed us to augment knowledge and increase productivity, it is our ability to think beyond by analyzing topics, deliberate, and critically think.

Dear Krishnan Umachandran

I support your statement.

 Dear R. N. Uchem,

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. Critical thinking has been the subject of much debate and thought since the time of early Greek philosophers such as Plato and Socrates and has continued to be a subject of discussion into the modern age.

Find more at: http://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/critical-thinking.html#ixzz4RqCRCYRN

Regards, Shafagat

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

A Definition

Critical thinking is that mode of thinking — about any subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.

Please, refer to the interesting article that entitle: "Our Concept and Definition of Critical Thinking" by seeing the attach link...

http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-concept-and-definition-of-critical-thinking/411

To be a critical means to have an ability to evaluate something, to explore the positive and negative aspects of something, and finally to solve a problem by judgment or to recommend a solution for something. If critical thinking paves the way for evaluation, exploration, problem solving and creativity, so I think it is beneficial for us. In educational context, it can be acquired by reading and analyzing the great thoughts of great  and critical philosophers, critics and theorists. I am a reader of Spivak and Derrida and I love their concepts.

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

"Defining Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking as Defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987

A statement by Michael Scriven & Richard Paul, presented at the 8th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking and Education Reform, Summer 1987.

Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.

It entails the examination of those structures or elements of thought implicit in all reasoning: purpose, problem, or question-at-issue; assumptions; concepts; empirical grounding; reasoning leading to conclusions; implications and consequences; objections from alternative viewpoints; and frame of reference. Critical thinking — in being responsive to variable subject matter, issues, and purposes — is incorporated in a family of interwoven modes of thinking, among them: scientific thinking, mathematical thinking, historical thinking, anthropological thinking, economic thinking, moral thinking, and philosophical thinking.

Critical thinking can be seen as having two components: 1) a set of information and belief generating and processing skills, and 2) the habit, based on intellectual commitment, of using those skills to guide behavior. It is thus to be contrasted with: 1) the mere acquisition and retention of information alone, because it involves a particular way in which information is sought and treated; 2) the mere possession of a set of skills, because it involves the continual use of them; and 3) the mere use of those skills ("as an exercise") without acceptance of their results.

Critical thinking varies according to the motivation underlying it. When grounded in selfish motives, it is often manifested in the skillful manipulation of ideas in service of one’s own, or one's groups’, vested interest. As such it is typically intellectually flawed, however pragmatically successful it might be. When grounded in fairmindedness and intellectual integrity, it is typically of a higher order intellectually, though subject to the charge of "idealism" by those habituated to its selfish use.

Critical thinking of any kind is never universal in any individual; everyone is subject to episodes of undisciplined or irrational thought. Its quality is therefore typically a matter of degree and dependent on, among other things, the quality and depth of experience in a given domain of thinking or with respect to a particular class of questions. No one is a critical thinker through-and-through, but only to such-and-such a degree, with such-and-such insights and blind spots, subject to such-and-such tendencies towards self-delusion. For this reason, the development of critical thinking skills and dispositions is a life-long endeavor."....

Please, see the link....

http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766

What Is critical thinking? I would like to make a distinction between critical thinking and critical literacy. The former is about the use of a range of skills used to analyse, interpret, deduce etc what is communicated verbally or in written form, through visual and other multimodal means. Critical literacy for me is a broader concept in that it requires the knowledge and skills to place what has been understood throughg critical thinking into broader, macro-level, social, historical, political and spatial contexts - in other words to reveal the discourses that lie behind the messages and how these are influenced by socio-political agendas.

Is it beneficial or harmful? Anything that is designed to make greater sense of the world is beneficial. Critical literacy, in particular, is oriented towards a social justice agenda so I suppose one might say that it is intended to benefit those who are marignalized in society, and might be perceived as being harmful by those who are privileged and have to give up their privileges in order to create more equity.

How is it acquired? Through processes of conscientization (Freire), unlearning dominant habits of mind and dominant ways of being that are harmful to others (Spivak), becoming aware of other ways and modes of being and beginning to inhabit these new ways (some might call this transformative learning, Mezirow).

Critical thinking assistance You: 1- Stay calm under stress 2- Leads to a more inventive mindset. 3- Forces mental self improvement.

KS Al-Niaeem

Critical thinking refers to the ability to think rationally about something.Critical thinking is not a matter of accumulating information. 

Dear Uchem,

Critical thinking is about challenging the obvious, challenging what has been demonstrated and stated as to be true, challenging the prevailing opinions and the conventional "wisdom". Departing from this definition, we may argue that the majority of people is either too complacent, too opportunistic or just too credulous to think critically and to act accordingly.

Paul

Critical thinking is very essential. it enables a person to analyse all the aspects of a problem - the positive and the negative - before a final decision about a particulaar issue is taken.

With the use of more and more critical thinking the person is able to visualise the events that may occur in the future in the organisation and also take remedial measures for the same.

Critical thinking is something that I apply a lot. It helps in giving different aspects and also at times result in innovative solutions to the problems/issues at hand.

Regards

Vibha

Certain decision will be required to take either in working environment or in our personal problems where we have to carefully judge ,think & also to carry out our observation in a right manner .

In certain cases we may be required to carry out our own introspection & to we have to see that our mind & intelligence should take a shape of judicial manner so that our thinking may not a create the disturbance a problem in our future action .

Critical thinking is always beneficial as we have to take the action in the right spirit in a personal interest & also for our future beneficial effect . It may be a harmful while carrying out our thinking process in certain cases we may take our thinking line only for our personal interest & sometime for our personal ego & in such cases there is every such possibilities for our critical thinking it is likely that we may receive the resultant action not only harm but also change our chosen path in a wrong direction .

This is my personal opinion 

When the cash is for the purpose of improving and adjusting the results it is good, but if you simply just do not cash represents an important addition.

Critical thinking also involves self-reflection, and examination of worldviews/epistemologies that shape relationships within and among humans and non-human elements of the world.

Critical thinking is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement.

Critical thinking is that mode of thinking — about any subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skilfully analysing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and socio-centrism.

A well-cultivated critical thinker:

---Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely

---Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively

---Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards

---Thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as needs be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences

---Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems

http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-concept-and-definition-of-critical-thinking/411

http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/main/critical-thinking-skills-you-need-to-master-now/

Critical thinking has to do with the thorough and detail analysis of the pro and cons of a phenomenon or situation or idea. The essence is to arrive at a rational decision making. The outcome of Critical thinking is expected to be benefiting to individual, group or the larger community depending on the level at which the objective is set. 

Effective education is no doubt very important in acquiring  critical thinking, but this might not be enough. Here, the right attitude becomes very essential.

Yes, critical thinking (CT) is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement. It is akin to information seeking, where one has to search for evidence, facts, or knowledge by identifying relevant sources and gathering objective, subjective, historical, and current data from those sources.

Also, we can practice CT by answering questions using a variety of thinking processes:

1. Analysis: breaking something into parts to better understand the parts and the whole (identifying, classifying, categorizing, comparing)

2. Synthesis: making connections between the parts and the whole to see the pattern of relationships (organizing, connecting, designing, predicting)

3. Interpretation: examining the connection (s) between the parts and the whole to make inferences about the implications and meanings of the pattern(s) (associating, inferring, decoding)

4. Evaluation: forming judgments about meanings, qualities and values (justifying, critiquing, verifying, deciding)

In my view it is not taught as a separate discipline, but is discipline specific as in as mathematical reasoning, historical analysis or literary interpretation.

These references might be helpful-

1. https://ctl.utsc.utoronto.ca/twc/sites/default/files/CriticalThinking.pdf

2. http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/probsolv/strategy/ctskills.htm

http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/probsolv/strategy/ctskills.htm

https://ctl.utsc.utoronto.ca/twc/sites/default/files/CriticalThinking.pdf

The requirements of developing critical thinking skill:

(1) theoretical knowledge (namely: logical thinking and/or rational decision making that based on scientific methods and free of biases);

(2) practical method (namely: understanding clear meanings/concepts; supporting reasons; setting priority/degree of importance; considering other options/possibilities); and

(3) right attitudes (namely: independence of thought; open-mindedness; impartiality; and analytical/reflective attitude) (Lau, 2011, pp. 3-8). 

• Lau, Y. F. J. (2011) An Introduction to Critical Thinking and Creativity: Think More, Think Better, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New Jersey. 

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

Please, see....

Critical thinking consists of analyzing and evaluating the consistency of reasoning, especially the statements that society considers to be true in the context of everyday life.

This evaluation can be done through observation, experience, reasoning or scientific method. Critical thinking requires clarity, precision, fairness, and evidence, since it seeks to avoid particular impressions. In this sense, it is related to skepticism and to the detection of fallacies.

Read more: Critical Thinking Concept - What It Is, Definition and Meaning http://conceito.de/critical-thinking#ixzz4S3PVyzAo

Dear R. N. Uchem.

Congratulations! You just offered us a bright "critical thinking" question, for debate! So, thank you !

At the risk of being controversial, may I say that I do NOT think critical thinking is in scarce supply.  What is in scarce supply is good ways to assess cultural differences in how people think critically.  For example, it is easy to say people are lazy and accept establishment viewpoints when in fact, if one really knew what was going on in their heads, they might be analyzing the situation from their experiences -- varied and unique -- and decide it is silly (or not worth the personal investment) to disagree as the stakes are too high.

In order for us to be able to move beyond our own biases and be able to apply critical thinking skills to our evaluations of individuals, we must first be able to recognize and address our own biases. If we can recognize our own biases, we can then identify the questions we must ask that inform us about the true individual

http://www.cptc.edu/stereotype/bias/lessonbuilder_files/Stereotypes_and_Bias_print.html

Critical thinking involves self-evaluation and introspection related with your day-today research/ or any activities in order to give your best efforts.and accomplishments.To the best of my knowledge and experience , it is always beneficial.

Critical thinking might be described as the ability to rivet in reflective and separate thinking. Critical thinkers rigorously question ideas and proposition rather than consenting them at face worth.

Regards

KS Al-Niaeem

Bravo. Krisham, for sharing how we must move past our biases and stereotypes!  Even if we unintentionally fall victim to them, we need others to be brave enough to point them out so we can move past them.  If we model that for our children, we have hope and not disunity in our world.

Critical thinking is a mode of thinking that is beyond understanding on the surface what we are told what is the proper way to think.  An efficient schooling system whose only purpose is to teach children to read and write and to calculate accuratly and show how things works do not apparently need to promote critical thinking.  Exams there to rewards conformity and are not there to reward questioning it.  Excellence in schools is an excellence in conformity.  Since the time of the enlightment, critical thinking is celebratedand encourage in the abstract but it is rarely put in practice in classroom.  It is consider a waste of time given the important thing is to get high scores into the exams.  All teachers were high score students and most student that would be high critical thinker have been outperformed in the exam competition game which has nothing to do with critical thinking but all to do with efficiency in conformity.  The whole scientific community is also permeated by this spirit of conformity.   Researchers are evaluated by number of publication in peer review journals and conference and here again it is a competition in conformity and group thinking and critical thinking is totally repress in this publication game.  Researchers motivated by really questioning the state of affair of a given science, the critical thinking researcher is out of place in academia and it promotion and funding system.  Established institution of any kind (religious, political, state,academic, corporation, etc) are never the place where thinking differently can strive.  It can strive only when the pressure to compete along conformistic lines is reduced and where the institution stop evaluating and micro managed its members and after choosing them very carefully for their high level of critical thinking, give them the freedom to exercise it. There are very very few such places.

Aside from the excellent responses already given, critical thinking also requires a) the ability to see issues both within their natural contexts and in multiple, dynamic contexts; and b) awareness of manipulative hooks typical in advertising and political propaganda.

To add to all of the wonderful, deep thought answers, critical thinking is thinking beyond what is, to the possibilities of what "is" could be or mean.

Critical thinking is the best approach to problem solving . It involves  collecting , collating and evaluating information from a wide variety of sources in order to plan for improvements in policy and practice . It's about using evidence of various kinds to stimulate creativity and problem-solving . 

To me is beneficial .

I had a student explain that critical thinking is the ability to apply thinking from one context or setting into a new or different one.  I have heard this called transfer.  It isn't a terrible definition.  As stated, it is a wonderful goal to achieve.

In my opinion critical thinking is good in order to come to a immediate/emergency conclusion/result/solution. But it lacks the  possibilities.

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

Please, see the interesting attached link which is related to the thread....

http://www.thinkwatson.com/the-red-model/red-critical-thinking-model

Every human being has the power to think critically from what is obvious. It is the power of the mind to challenge existing realities. To answer whether it is beneficial or not, this depends on our cultural orientation of the country where we are in. If the culture is guided with respect to permissibility, then it is encouraged; but if the culture is otherwise impermissible or close, then to be critical might be risky, because society might brand us to be radical and oppositionist.

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

"How is critical thinking beneficial in the decision-making process?

• Firstly, critical thinking is a process as such the first benefit would be order, being able to address the "problem" intellectually as opposed to emotionally.
• Critical thinking enables you to make scientific assessments weigh things, allot values, determine probabilities and the like
• Critical thinking enable you to see the matter from different vantage points: in terms of logic, social acceptability, political viability, law, common sense, natural order, or 'this is my house' rules, or any other established norm set.
• Critical thinking enables you to appreciate past performance, and to value experience
• Critical thinking enable you to be more confident in your decision because it was well reasoned."....

Please, see the link  

http://www.armisgame.com/Home/armis-for-schools-worldwide/critical-thinking

I teach physics. 

I intended to scaffold critical thinking with the structured problem solving approach I teach:

1.  Represent the problem in as many ways as possible.

      I include pictures (several), number lines, graphs, and even equations at least.

2.  Identify the information which you expect to be important, including what is known, or sometimes you wish you knew.  Where appropriate write this on the representations above.

3.  Identify the fundamental principles you think might apply.

       In our case that is often equations.  How you know they apply seems to be an important key here.

4.  Apply those principles.

     In our case I insist on a symbolic solution.  I am scaffolding the higher levels of abstract thinking, so I allow a math solution first, as long as a symbolic solution follows.

5.  Evaluate your answer.  This is generally done all along the way, but I have them report it at the end of the problem.

     Here is where I expect them to tell me if the units of their answer match what they expect. Does the size of their answer make sense, and agree with what they expect?  How might they know if their answer makes sense?

The father of critical thinking

(Edward M. Glaser, An Experiment in the Development of Critical Thinking, Teacher’s College, Columbia University, 1941)

 Another conceptual framework

(Taken from Richard Paul and Linda Elder, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools, Foundation for Critical Thinking Press, 2008)

yet the ultimate

Critical thinking...the awakening of the intellect to the study of itself.

Critical thinking is a rich concept that has been developing throughout the past 2500 years.  The term "critical thinking" has its roots in the mid-late 20th century.  We offer here overlapping definitions, together which form a substantive, transdisciplinary conception of critical thinking.

Critical Thinking as Defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987

A statement by Michael Scriven & Richard Paul, presented at the 8th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking and Education Reform, Summer 1987.

all found at

http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766 

I hope this is of some help.

regards

Leah

Critical thinking most of the time is beneficial. It is acquired through observation, motivation, experiences and instincts. Critical thinking is innate in everyone of us but differs in degree depending on the physical structure/component of ones brain. Some people are lucky enough to have brains while others are not. Let us blame some of these to our genes.

Critical thinking is behind the phylosophie of Karl Popper, who was a epistemologist who  proposed refutation as a criterion to separate Science and Methaphisics.

Hello R. N. :)

I really like the work done by the Galileo project - see http://www.galileo.org/tips/rubrics/ct_rubric.pdf,  http://galileo.org/focus-on-inquiry-lit-review.pdf,  http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b399/pdfs/Articles%20and%20Documents/WDYDIST_Teaching_EN.pdf

http://www.galileo.org/tips/rubrics/ct_rubric.pdf

I can only speak in a limited capacity as to the educational systems and what they prioritize in other countries, but in America critical thinking has begun to take a supreme backseat to "teaching to pass the test" in our public schools due to the No Child Left Behind Act (which reinforced some other absolute dinosaurs of educational policy established in the late 70's/early 80's.

As a composition instructor, while the students enter into the classroom thinking they are going to learn how to write essays and research papers (which 1) they sorely, sorely do need to learn how to do since a majority of them are so poorly prepared exiting high school that they can't write their way out of a paper bag and 2) because the 4 primary written assignments do make up the majority of their grade for the class) but the way I structure my curriculum around the departmental requirements is critical thinking and analysis and identifying/crafting argument. Critical thinking is, I suppose, the ability to look at a stance, thesis, claim, piece of information, political speeches (election season this year proved to be a treasure trove of real-life opportunities for my students to apply the skills, principles, and theoretical/guided examples we used in class) among others. I remind them constantly too that this is a skills-based approach to what they are learning; there isn't a whole lot of rote memorization, but a consistent, scaffolded set of assignments, discussions, and activities where without even realizing it they repeatedly practice these skills both in written argument and through discussion. There are creative ways to get them to practice these skills as well, such as assigning them something like Hemmingway's "Hills Like White Elephants". Without being able to effectively employ critical thinking skills, all the student sees is a relatively boring conversation between two people at a train station. Through inference and being able to read between the lines, engage in abstract thought beyond what's being explicitly stated and looking to what's being tacitly communicated through both Hemmingway's technical writing and the content of the short story, they are able to not only identify what's really, really going on but also carry a discussion about the gravity of it without having to take a class on literary analysis.

The importance of being able to develop critical thinking skills was especially apparent when discussed through the lens of argument. Halfway through the semester, 80% of my students were able to easily identify logical fallacies during the political debates such as Trump's attack on abortion as a whole by using a straw man approach, focusing only on the issue of partial birth abortions. These skills are not only beneficial to them as students regardless of their particular field of study, but also in helping them develop sophisticated communication skills which are directly transferable to the professional world, and it also allows them to be able to identify the plethora of arguments they are bombarded with every day (whether it's through a speech at a political rally or an advertisement on television). By helping them recognize the benefits of learning to think critically, they become more responsible voters/citizens, are less likely to run their mouth and simply parrot whatever opinions they have abosrbed and subsequently aped from parents and friends who are more often than not just as ill-informed (or receiving information from biased sources to begin with), they're more employable, and I also notice a distinct increase not only in the level of sophistication of their in-class and written work, but also in the level of respect and open-mindedness as well. Finally, I've noticed that quite often it encourages something else as a serendipitous biproduct when they make a sincere effort: empathy.

Sorry that was so long-winded but finding new, effective, engaging ways for students to make that sincere effort in a class that they have deigned to sign up for only because it's a core requirement and centers around writing essays (which, let's face it, most freshman college students hate having to do) has given me 7 years of pushing this particular academic boulder up the hill over and over again, so I choose to make that extra effort for their sakes because the most common responses I've seen in other adjuncts tend to be apathy, complacency, or outright bitterness, and as broken as the PTI system is in the U.S., it's unfair for the students to suffer further simply because an adjunct is the victim of a system that consistently takes advantage of them.

Critical thinking means swimming against the (main) stream. Irrespective of the field where it happens. It is so much easier to swim WITH the stream: less exhaustive, undisturbed, not offended. This is the reason why critical thinking is so scarce everywhere.

Considering the 'dark side' of critical thinking, I would recommend entering into it only to very strong 'characters'.

On the bright side: critical thinking is the way to change the world. Staying with the main stream doesn't change things. Thinking critical, questioning 'facts' that aren't facts, questioning 'the way we always did it', is the way to evolve, the way to alter 'things'. It may be beneficial for society, for the individual critical thinker it is quite uncomfortable.

From the educational point of view: you may try to spark the flame of critical thinking. But you should not be too disappointed if only rarely the spark ignites a reasonable flame.

I thank all who have contributed their answers to my question on critical thinking. I am especially appreciative of the willingness and eagerness with which colleagues made their contributions. I have been amazed at the divergences in the approaches to the understanding of critical thinking that some of the respondents have demonstrated. A great many contributed written works which I will plough through in due course to further enrich my knowledge. Let me also observe that many went with cerebral views of the subject; involving systematic analysis of issues. Some equated critical thinking with creative thinking and that needs to be disentangled. Only a tiny few presented critical thinking in a manner that really captured my own take on the subject. All the same I remain grateful to the contributors.

Yes, Dreher.  I resonate with every line in your contribution. I can't say more. You pointed to the heart of the matter: that critical thinking is the way to change the world though it may be unpopular and entail risk for the individual; that it is beneficial to society. In due course, I will also pick up and acknowledge earlier contributors whose responses came in this vein, but I didn't have the time to respond immediately. Thanks again to all.

There are a number of barriers to critical thinking. At the same time, it also has some limits.

http://ojs.uwindsor.ca/ojs/leddy/index.php/informal_logic/article/view/2536

https://www.wisc-online.com/learn/career-clusters/human-services/ccs2707/barriers-to-critical-thinking-basic-human-lim

Surely, there is a clear difference between the two concepts. Critical thinking is defined as "…the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome."(Halpern, 1996, p.5) whereas, Simon & Kaplan, (1989) define it as a way to formulate logical inferences when looking into a topic.

On the other hand, creative thinking is a process to find solution to a problem where critical thinking is an essential part of it, I think, it is like conducting an action research to look for a practical solution to a particular problem that challenges you. Reaching that solution requires creative thinking. Creative thinking can be seen as "a prerequisite to understanding, judging and implementing change within any professional practice" (Seymour et al, 2003).

References

Halpern, D.F. (1996). Thought and knowledge: An introduction to critical thinking. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.

Seymour, B., Kinn, S. and Sutherland, N. (2003) Valuing both critical and creative thinking in clinical practice: narrowing the research–practice gap? Journal of Advanced Nursing. 42(3), pp.288–296.

Simon, H.A., & Kaplan, C.A. (1989). In M.I. Posner (Ed), Foundations of cognitive sciences (pp. 1-47). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

Please, see....

Becoming critical is required for clarifying and enriching, however in certain situations teachers and students malign and thereby get misunderstood. 

Critical thinking was a major caracteristic of Karl Popper, who was a philosopher and an epistemologist. Critical thinking can be harmfull in human relationships, if not used with respect.

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

"Critical Thinking Skills

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas.  Critical thinking has been the subject of much debate and thought since the time of early Greek philosophers such as Plato and Socrates and has continued to be a subject of discussion into the modern age. "....

Please, goto the link for more details....... 

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/critical-thinking.html

Science is nothing but critical thinking !

Critical thinking is important but creative or imaginative thinking is even more important since there will be nothing to be critical about without it. It is like in arts, there would not be art critic or reviewers without artists. In engineering, design comes first and reviewing and testing later.

I teach "Critical Thinking" to doctors and programmers...

The doctor 's thinking should be as critical as possible... He is assisted by "evidence-based medicine" and computer technology... All the diagnoses we formulated as mathematical theorem... The doctor, through research, must prove the presence of illness in the patient... The assistant program helps the doctor and controls his actions... This technology makes a doctor think critically...

Programmers I teach to make programs that force specialists to think critically... Programs check the validity of each step of the specialist... We hope that this approach allows to protect the patient, the client as much as possible...

On the example of such programs students better understand the essence of critical thinking... They see that the CM can save lives...

We need to make a specialist think critically (with the help of technology)!

Following any methodology too closely is a lack of critical thinking . Following too closely how to think critically is a lack of critical thinking. Thinking too closely how we are taught to think is a failure of critical thinking

Dear Rose Nkechi Uchem,

Article Effectiveness of Using Elaboration Theory in Teaching Mathem...

Nice Dr. Yurii Prokopchuk.

I think of Critical Thinking as quality control and quality enhancement of my questions and my ideas. If I want to learn deeper about some complex problem or issue I search for existing frameworks that have addressed the issue or I attempt to craft my own tools. My goal is to develop a more nuanced (albeit temporary) position so that I can contribute to the discussion.

A basic critical thinking tool offered by Paul and Elders is a list of questions for each "Element of Reasoning" that you can vet your ideas with and which can help you articulate your idea/opinion:

Articulate your purpose, perspective, point of view, assumptions, etc

Critical Thinking is similar to efforts for Innovation and Quality Improvement because:

you have to invest your time and take some risks in the attempt to raise the quality

there are no guarantees your output will be better than average

you can develop better skill at using critical thinking tools but that also will not guarantee "better" output

A close cousin to creativity, critical thinking involves reflecting critically, exploring and investigating, open-mindedness and appropriate scepticism. You might like these:

Article A Five Dimensional Model of Creativity and its Assessment in Schools

Book Teaching Creative Thinking: Developing learners who generate...

Hi,

Critical thinking is excellent if used properly. It can be a key to successful research, and interesting discoveries. But if not used properly, and it is "overdone", it could be disappointing and deterring.

Good question Rose, and thanks for asking the question so openly and in a nonleading fashion. I've wondered this for years, since the term is bandied about as pedagogy du jour and claimed to be inculcated into introductory-level textbooks. The definitions seem to vary and I'd bet my favorite mineral specimens that if you asked a dozen professors this question you'd get a dozen different answers. Sometimes it appears, too, that people believe "critical thinking" is demonstrated only when a person/student/friend draws a political decision they agree with. I think Amelia is on the right track (above) but look at how quickly it becomes complex: "...clearly states the problem, generates factual information..., analyze and proffer solution without bias." So that means they have to understand the context, which means they need to know a lot about the subject, as well as the contentious aspects of the subject being addressed. They need to generate new facts (a commonly complex/time-consuming/expensive undertaking), be creative in coming up with (preferably multiple) solutions, and they have to understand basic logic and logical fallacies to avoid biases. I'm thinking through a science-course lens, but this seems a tall order at the undergraduate level, which is perhaps why I've seen so few impressive textbook or classroom implementations of "critical thinking". Yet somehow Western society has thrived for centuries without the Johnny-come-lately emphasis on "critical thinking". So perhaps it's something one either has, or doesn't have?

Hi,

Critical thinking is helpful in studies, , research, work flows, managing everyday life, planning the future, and more. it is contributing to a better organized life.

Some more publications on critical thinking are recommended:

• Ennis, R. H. (1985) A logical basis for measuring critical thinking skills, Educational Leadership, 43, 2, pp. 44-48.
• Ennis, R. H. (2015) Critical thinking: A streamlined conception, in Davies, M. and Barnett, R. (eds.) The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Thinking in Higher Education. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 31-47.
• Fisher, A. (2011) Critical thinking: what it is and how it can be improved, in Fisher, A. (ed.) Critical Thinking: An Introduction. Second ed. Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-15.
• Halpern, D. F. (2007) The nature and nurture of critical thinking, in Sternberg, R.J., Roediger III, H.L. and Halpern, D.F. (eds.) Critical Thinking in Psychology. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-14.
• Lau, Y. F. J. (2011) An Introduction to Critical Thinking and Creativity: Think More, Think Better. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Hi,

Critical thinking helps in every aspect of life. The easiest thing is to move on in life without thinking critically, as part of the mob, but the results of this kind of attitude are not contributing to a better living.