{"id":781,"date":"2016-04-12T14:51:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-12T14:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level1-english\/?post_type=chapter&p=781"},"modified":"2018-09-26T22:52:50","modified_gmt":"2018-09-26T22:52:50","slug":"text-defining-critical-thinking","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level1-english-gen\/chapter\/text-defining-critical-thinking\/","title":{"raw":"Text: Defining Critical Thinking","rendered":"Text: Defining Critical Thinking"},"content":{"raw":"

Various Ways to Think<\/h2>\r\nThinking comes naturally. You don\u2019t have to make it happen\u2014it just does. But you can make it happen in different ways. For example, you can think positively or\u00a0negatively. You can think with \"heart\" and you can think with rational judgment. You can also think strategically and analytically, and mathematically and scientifically. These are a few of multiple ways in which the mind can process thought.\r\n\r\nWhat are some forms of thinking you use? When do you use them, and why?\r\n\r\nAs a college student, you are tasked with engaging and expanding your thinking skills. One of the most important of these skills is\u00a0critical thinking. Critical thinking is important because it relates to nearly all tasks, situations, topics, careers, environments, challenges, and opportunities. It's not\u00a0restricted to a particular subject area.\r\n\r\n\"Handwritten\r\n

Defining\u00a0Critical Thinking<\/h2>\r\nCritical thinking<\/strong> is clear, reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. It means\u00a0asking probing questions like, \"How do we know?\"\u00a0or\u00a0\"Is this true in every case or just in this instance?\" It involves being skeptical and challenging assumptions, rather than simply memorizing facts or blindly accepting what you hear or read.\r\n\r\nImagine, for example, that you're reading a history textbook. You wonder who wrote it and why, because you detect certain assumptions\u00a0in the writing. You find that the author has a limited scope of research focused only on a particular group within a population. In this case, your critical thinking reveals\u00a0that there are \u201cother sides to the story.\u201d\r\n\r\nWho are critical thinkers, and what characteristics do they have in common? Critical thinkers are usually\u00a0curious and reflective people. They like to explore and probe new areas and seek knowledge, clarification, and new solutions. They ask pertinent questions, evaluate statements and arguments, and they distinguish between facts and opinion. They are also willing to examine their own beliefs, possessing a manner of humility that allows them to admit lack of knowledge or understanding when needed. They are open to changing their mind. Perhaps most of all, they actively enjoy learning, and seeking new knowledge is a lifelong pursuit.\r\n\r\nThis may well be you!\r\n\r\nNo matter where you are on the road to being a critical thinker, you can always more fully develop your skills. Doing so will help you develop more balanced arguments, express yourself clearly, read critically, and absorb\u00a0important information efficiently. Critical thinking skills will help you in any profession or any circumstance of life, from science to art to business to teaching.\r\n
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Critical Thinking IS<\/th>\r\nCritical Thinking is NOT<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
Skepticism<\/td>\r\nMemorizing<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Examining assumptions<\/td>\r\nGroup thinking<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Challenging reasoning<\/td>\r\nBlind acceptance of authority<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Uncovering biases<\/td>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Critical Thinking in Action<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\nThe following video, from Lawrence Bland, presents the major concepts and benefits of critical thinking.\r\n