Episode 1.1: What is Critical Thinking?

The Definition and Purpose of Critical Thinking

What comes to mind when someone says you need to use "critical thinking"? Do you focus on the word "critical"? Do you assume that thinking critically must be negative, requiring you to criticize or be critical of something you’ve read, heard, or watched? The modules you will complete in this course will help you understand what critical thinking is and how you can do it.

As we go through this module, you will learn that thinking critically should not be assumed to be synonymous with CRITICIZING. Once you learn to think critically, you might criticize an argument or claim, but your thinking will be thoughtfully reasoned consideration, NOT reflexive, quick, and unthinking judgment. In the concept of critical thinking, the term “critical” refers to a way of thinking—an analytical stance you take with regards to assessing claims that you have read, heard, or seen.

In this module we will:

Construct a useful, everyday definition of critical thinking and identify what critical thinking is NOT.
Show you the PURPOSE and VALUE of critical thinking.

Understanding Critical Thinking

According to one definition, critical thinking is “the careful application of reason in the determination of whether a claim is true.” Another definition highlights that critical thinking is “judicious reasoning about what to believe and, therefore, what to do.” Let's take a closer look at the important components of these definitions:

Careful and Intentional: Critical thinking is not a fast or easy process, even if you know how to do it. To think critically requires intentionality; it’s about being thorough in your evaluation.
Use of Reason or Logic: Critical thinking requires applying reason to evaluate claims thoughtfully.
Judgment about Beliefs: You must assess beliefs critically based on your evaluation.
Application to Real-World Problems: The ultimate goal is to work through real issues and concerns using critical thinking.

Key Concepts in Critical Thinking

1. Careful and Intentional Thinking

Critical thinking is a deliberate process. It involves thoroughly examining the issue at hand, considering all its complexities. It’s NOT PASSIVE—it’s not just about accepting or rejecting an argument. The goal is to evaluate every part of a claim to ascertain the whole argument.

For instance, consider a historical claim like “Ships sailing east from Europe will eventually fall off the edge of the Earth because the Earth is flat.” Rejecting this claim is straightforward for most, provided you have the knowledge that the Earth is round. However, more frequently, you're tasked with critically evaluating complex claims that are not clearly black or white. In such cases, critical thinking helps you articulate WHY you agree or disagree.

2. Reason or Logic

Critical thinking is an active process pushing us towards greater understanding of complex problems. It necessitates the application of REASON. In upcoming modules, we’ll explore reasoning in-depth and develop criteria for assessing whether an argument stems from good, thoughtful reasoning.

We often respond based on emotion or intuition, but critical thinking requires examining these reactions under the microscope of reason. For example, if someone feels too scared to run alone at night, understanding whether that fear is justified requires critical assessment of the situation.

3. Judgment and Application

The purpose of critical thinking also encompasses making judgments about claims and taking informed actions based on those evaluations. When engaging in critical thinking, you're asked to determine the truth of a claim and decide on subsequent actions. You might relate this to a discussion in class about handling a group project or making marketing decisions.

Why Critical Thinking Matters

In both education and professional environments, critical thinking can dramatically influence outcomes. For example, during a group project worth a significant percentage of your final grade, simply accepting a peer's perspective without questioning can lead to poor results. You may inherit beliefs about working on group projects from others without critically assessing them, which could affect your performance negatively.

Consider this scenario:

You're working as a marketing assistant, eager to impress your supervisor. When asked for input on an ad campaign strategy, you quickly say, “Definitely traditional venues.” But your co-worker responds, providing data and evidence supporting an online approach instead. Who do you think will grab your supervisor's attention?

Taking the time to thoroughly assess your beliefs and opinions equips you with the insight necessary to articulate your viewpoints effectively and justifies your decisions. Critical thinking cultivates a sense of ownership over your beliefs, ensuring that you can defend those beliefs with valid reasoning.

Conclusion

This module has equipped you with a foundational understanding of critical thinking. You are now able to explain what critical thinking entails, how it differs from other forms of thought, and appreciate its purpose and value in various contexts. As we progress through this course, remember that critical thinking is an active, ongoing process, essential for navigating a complex world.