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Critical Thinking and its importance in Education

Ramesh N Pedireddla

Diagrammatic view of Critical Thinking

The word 'critical' can have strong connotations of negativity, but it is possible that this is in part a reflection of thecharacter of reasoning in a scientific/academic context, where falsifications is not only believed to be the onlyrigorous approach to establishing reliable truths, but also an aspect of the culture in a fiercely Competitivecommunity.

Definition:

Critical thinking can be defined as a reasonable and reflective thinking that can be focused upon deciding what todo or believe. (Norris & Ennis, 1989.)

Reasonable thinking is one which makes a sense in the selection of criteria and in the conclusion.To achieve true reflection in critical reflection, we must attend to process issues, including the learner's context inthe world ... as well as maintaining the role of intellect within it. (Brockbank & McGill, 1998.)

Critical thinking is the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirableoutcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned, and goal directedthe kind of thinkinginvolved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions when thethinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task.(Halpern,1996.)

Dimensions:

The two additional dimensions of critical thinking are critical action and critical self- reflection which gives a detaildescription of how you act to a specific task with a reason and a self-approach. (Barnett, 1997.)Approach:

How do we approach to an outcome with critical thinking?The ideal critical thinking is habitually inquisitive, well-informed, trustful of reason, open-minded, flexible, fair-

minded in evaluation, honest in facing personal biases, prudent in making judgments, willing to reconsider, clearabout issues, orderly in complex matters, diligent in seeking relevant information, reasonable in the selection of

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criteria, focused in inquiry, and persistent in seeking results which are as precise as the subject and thecircumstances of inquiry permit.

Critical thinking can have a logistic approach only when it confirms the procedures of logic and conveys alegitimate thinking towards it.

Comparison:

Is critical thinking the same as creative thinking, are they different, or is one part of the other?

Creative or innovative thinkingis the kind of thinking that leads to new insights, novel approaches, freshperspectives, whole new ways of understanding and conceiving of things. The products of creative thoughtinclude some obvious things like music, poetry, dance, dramatic literature, inventions, and technical innovations.But there are some not so obvious examples as well, such as ways of putting a question that expand thehorizons of possible solutions, or ways of conceiving of relationships which challenge presuppositions and leadone to see the world in imaginative and different ways.

Examples:

Critical thinking would probably agree with statements like these:

I hate talk shows where people shout their opinions but never give any reasons at all. Figuring out what people really mean by what they say is important to me."I always do better in jobs where I'm expected to think things out for myself.

Critical thinking would probably disagree with statements like these:

I prefer jobs where the supervisor says exactly what to do and exactly how to do it." No matter how complex the problem, you can bet there will be a simple solution. "I don't waste time looking things up."I hate when teachers discuss problems instead of just giving the answers.

Advantages & Disadvantages:

Critical thinking can help you in the development of skills and knowledge which can occur in an integrated andsynergistic way. Critical thinking can be considered as one of the soft skills where we talk about communication,

team work, leadership and self-management.

Having a quick conclusion without a valid reason leads to a negative reflection of the critical thinking.

Conclusions:

Critical thinking is the modern approach for the real world with reflective reasoning.

Bibliography:

1992, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2011 Peter A. Facione, Measured Reasons and The California Academic Press,

Millbrae, CA.

Paul Walker & Nicholas Finney (1999): Skill Development and Critical Thinking in Higher Education, HigherEducation Research & Development Unit, UK.