{"id":866,"date":"2015-02-23T21:56:36","date_gmt":"2015-02-23T21:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/publicspeaking1xmaster\/?post_type=chapter&p=866"},"modified":"2016-08-16T19:44:42","modified_gmt":"2016-08-16T19:44:42","slug":"chapter-6-critical-thinking","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-publicspeakingprinciples\/chapter\/chapter-6-critical-thinking\/","title":{"raw":"Critical Thinking","rendered":"Critical Thinking"},"content":{"raw":"
We are approaching a new age of synthesis. Knowledge cannot be merely a degree or a skill...it demands a broader vision, capabilities in critical thinking and logical deduction, without which we cannot have constructive progress. -\u00a0Li Ka Shing<\/blockquote>\r\nCritical thinking has been defined in numerous ways. \u00a0At its most basic, we can think of critical thinking as active thinking in which we evaluate and analyze information in order to determine the best course of action. We will look at more expansive definitions of critical thinking and its components in the following pages.\r\n\r\nBefore we get there, though, let's consider a hypothetical example of critical thinking in action.\r\n

Shonda was researching information for her upcoming persuasive speech. Her goal with the speech was to persuade her classmates to drink a glass of red wine every day. Her argument revolved around the health benefits one can derive from the antioxidants found in red wine. Shonda found an article reporting the results of a study conducted by a Dr. Gray. According to Dr. Gray\u2019s study, drinking four or more glasses of wine a day will help reduce the chances of heart attack, increase levels of good cholesterol, and help in reducing unwanted fat. Without conducting further research, Shonda changed her speech to persuade her classmates to drink four or more glasses of red wine per day. She used Dr. Gray\u2019s study as her primary support. Shonda presented her speech in class to waves of applause and support from her classmates. She was shocked when, a few weeks later, she received a grade of \u201cD\u201d. Shonda\u2019s teacher had also found Dr. Gray\u2019s study and learned it was sponsored by a multi-national distributor of wine. In fact, the study in question was published in a trade journal targeted to wine and alcohol retailers. If Shonda had taken a few extra minutes to critically examine the study, she may have been able to avoid the dreaded \u201cD.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\r\nShonda\u2019s story is just one of many ways that critical thinking impacts our lives. Throughout this chapter we will consider the importance of critical thinking in all areas of communication, especially public speaking. We will first take a more in-depth look at what critical thinking is\u2014and isn\u2019t.\r\n\r\nBefore we get too far into the specifics of what critical thinking is and how we can do it, it\u2019s important to clear up a common misconception. Even though the phrase critical thinking uses the word \u201ccritical,\u201d it is not a negative thing. Being critical is not the same thing as criticizing. When we criticize something, we point out the flaws and errors in it, exercising a negative value judgment on it. Our goal with criticizing is less about understanding than about negatively evaluating. It\u2019s important to remember that critical thinking is not just criticizing. While the process may involve examining flaws and errors, it is much more.\r\n

Critical\u00a0Thinking Defined<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_889\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"147\"]\"John<\/a> \"John Dewey\"<\/a> by Eva Watson-Sch\u00fctze. Public domain.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nJust what is critical thinking then? To help us understand, let\u2019s consider a common definition of critical thinking. The philosopher John Dewey, often considered the father of modern day critical thinking, defines critical thinking as:\r\n

\u201cActive, persistent, careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in light of the grounds that support it and the further conclusions to which it tends.\u201d<\/em>[footnote]Dewey, J. (1933). Experience and education<\/em>. New York: Macmillan, 1933. [\/footnote]<\/p>\r\nThe first key component of Dewey\u2019s definition is that critical thinking is active. Critical thinking must be done by choice. As we continue to delve deeper into the various facets of critical thinking, we will learn how to engage as critical thinkers.\r\n\r\nProbably one of the most concise and easiest to understand definitions is that offered by Barry Beyer: \"Critical thinking... means making reasoned judgments.\"[footnote]Beyer, B. K. (1995) Critical thinking. Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation. [\/footnote] In other words, we don\u2019t just jump to a conclusion or a judgment. We rationalize and justify our conclusions. A second primary component of critical thinking, then, involves questioning. As critical thinkers, we need to question everything that confronts us. Equally important, we need to question ourselves and ask how our own biases or assumptions influence how we judge something.\r\n\r\nIn the following sections we will explore how to do critical thinking more in depth. As you read through this material, reflect back on Dewey\u2019s and Beyer\u2019s definitions of critical thinking.","rendered":"

We are approaching a new age of synthesis. Knowledge cannot be merely a degree or a skill…it demands a broader vision, capabilities in critical thinking and logical deduction, without which we cannot have constructive progress. –\u00a0Li Ka Shing<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Critical thinking has been defined in numerous ways. \u00a0At its most basic, we can think of critical thinking as active thinking in which we evaluate and analyze information in order to determine the best course of action. We will look at more expansive definitions of critical thinking and its components in the following pages.<\/p>\n

Before we get there, though, let’s consider a hypothetical example of critical thinking in action.<\/p>\n

Shonda was researching information for her upcoming persuasive speech. Her goal with the speech was to persuade her classmates to drink a glass of red wine every day. Her argument revolved around the health benefits one can derive from the antioxidants found in red wine. Shonda found an article reporting the results of a study conducted by a Dr. Gray. According to Dr. Gray\u2019s study, drinking four or more glasses of wine a day will help reduce the chances of heart attack, increase levels of good cholesterol, and help in reducing unwanted fat. Without conducting further research, Shonda changed her speech to persuade her classmates to drink four or more glasses of red wine per day. She used Dr. Gray\u2019s study as her primary support. Shonda presented her speech in class to waves of applause and support from her classmates. She was shocked when, a few weeks later, she received a grade of \u201cD\u201d. Shonda\u2019s teacher had also found Dr. Gray\u2019s study and learned it was sponsored by a multi-national distributor of wine. In fact, the study in question was published in a trade journal targeted to wine and alcohol retailers. If Shonda had taken a few extra minutes to critically examine the study, she may have been able to avoid the dreaded \u201cD.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Shonda\u2019s story is just one of many ways that critical thinking impacts our lives. Throughout this chapter we will consider the importance of critical thinking in all areas of communication, especially public speaking. We will first take a more in-depth look at what critical thinking is\u2014and isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Before we get too far into the specifics of what critical thinking is and how we can do it, it\u2019s important to clear up a common misconception. Even though the phrase critical thinking uses the word \u201ccritical,\u201d it is not a negative thing. Being critical is not the same thing as criticizing. When we criticize something, we point out the flaws and errors in it, exercising a negative value judgment on it. Our goal with criticizing is less about understanding than about negatively evaluating. It\u2019s important to remember that critical thinking is not just criticizing. While the process may involve examining flaws and errors, it is much more.<\/p>\n

Critical\u00a0Thinking Defined<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"John<\/a><\/p>\n

“John Dewey”<\/a> by Eva Watson-Sch\u00fctze. Public domain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Just what is critical thinking then? To help us understand, let\u2019s consider a common definition of critical thinking. The philosopher John Dewey, often considered the father of modern day critical thinking, defines critical thinking as:<\/p>\n

\u201cActive, persistent, careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in light of the grounds that support it and the further conclusions to which it tends.\u201d<\/em>[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The first key component of Dewey\u2019s definition is that critical thinking is active. Critical thinking must be done by choice. As we continue to delve deeper into the various facets of critical thinking, we will learn how to engage as critical thinkers.<\/p>\n

Probably one of the most concise and easiest to understand definitions is that offered by Barry Beyer: “Critical thinking… means making reasoned judgments.”[2]<\/sup><\/a> In other words, we don\u2019t just jump to a conclusion or a judgment. We rationalize and justify our conclusions. A second primary component of critical thinking, then, involves questioning. As critical thinkers, we need to question everything that confronts us. Equally important, we need to question ourselves and ask how our own biases or assumptions influence how we judge something.<\/p>\n

In the following sections we will explore how to do critical thinking more in depth. As you read through this material, reflect back on Dewey\u2019s and Beyer\u2019s definitions of critical thinking.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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