Difference between revisions of "Critical thinking"
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| − | '''Critical thinking''' is an approach to gathering data and making inferences about the world. It draws heavily on ideas from the [[ | + | [[File:The Thinker, Rodin.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|The Thinker by [[Auguste Rodin]], 1902.]] |
| + | '''Critical thinking''' is an approach to gathering data and making inferences about the world. It draws heavily on ideas from the [[scientific revolution]] and advocates an approach of data acquisition and [[rationality|rational]] assessment. When applying critical thinking, the goal is to collect as much relevant [[data]] as possible, assess that data for accuracy, and finally use the data to arrive at the most justified conclusions possible. | ||
| − | Critical thinking uses many aspects of [[formal logic]] and | + | Critical thinking is an ongoing process, and even ideas that one feels are well supported need to be occasionally reevaluated to see if new information might change one's mind. For example, critical thinking eventually showed that [[Copernicus]] was correct in claiming that the Sun was the center of the [[Solar System|solar system]], even though many people believed this to be false at the time. However, this didn't make him completely correct either, since more critical thinking showed that he was wrong on other things (he also thought that the Sun was the center of the universe). |
| + | |||
| + | Critical thinking uses many aspects of [[formal logic]] and informal logic. It also focuses on discovering [[bias]], [[propaganda]], [[delusion]] and [[deception]] (more generally, [[logical fallacies]]) both in the sources of one's information and one's own views and approaches to reasoning problems out. Teachers often cite learning critical thinking as one of the most important goals of getting an education. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Some leftists, however, conflate critical thinking with [[critical theory]] and [[postmodernism]], the latter by using verbiage that implies one needs to look out for meanings behind words and determining for oneself what occurs, while at the same time advocating that all reality is fictional and that one can create their own ideas and reality. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Ideation tools to promote critical thinking == | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''See also:'' [[Ideation]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://blog.richiebartlett.com/Science_%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%A6/Creative-thinking-tools/ Critical thinking tools] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Analytical thinking vs. critical thinking == | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''See also:'' [[Analytical thinking]] and [[Problem solving]] and [[Creative problem solving]] and [[Rational thinking]] and [[Intellectual curiosity]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Analytical thinking and critical thinking are both crucial for [[problem solving]], but they differ in their respective approaches. Analytical thinking focuses on breaking down complex information into smaller and more manageable parts to better understand the underlying principles and relationships (See also: [[Cause and effect]] and [[systems thinking]]). Critical thinking, on the other hand, involves evaluating information, forming better judgments, and [[Questioning skills|questioning]] assumptions to arrive at well-reasoned and [[Rationality|rational]] conclusions.<ref> | ||
| + | *[https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+difference+between+Analytical+thinking+and+critical+thinking&oq=what+is+the+difference+between+Analytical+thinking+and+critical+thinking&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQLhhA0gEJMjEyMTFqMGoxqAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 What is the difference between Analytical thinking and critical thinking?] | ||
| + | *[https://homeschooladventure.com/analytical-thinking-vs-critical-thinking/#:~:text=Differences%20Between%20Analytical%20and%20Critical,the%20implications%20of%20your%20choices. Understanding Analytical Thinking and Critical Thinking] | ||
| + | *[https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/analytical-thinking-vs-critical-thinking#:~:text=What%20is%20analytical%20thinking?,there's%20humidity%20in%20the%20air?%22 Analytical Thinking vs. Critical Thinking (Plus Jobs That Use Them)], Indeed | ||
| + | </ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Atheism and critical thinking == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Atheism and critical thinking]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Atheism and open-mindedness]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Atheism and dogmatism]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Atheism and groupthink]] | ||
== Recommended books == | == Recommended books == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *''The Thinker's Way'' by John Chaffee, Ph.D, 1998, Publisher: Little Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-13317-3 | ||
| + | *''The Art of Thinking Clearly'' by Rolf Dobelli. Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (May 6, 2014) | ||
| + | |||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Logical reasoning]] | ||
| + | *[[Decision making]] | ||
| + | *[[Cognitive bias]] | ||
| + | *[[Groupthink]] | ||
| + | *[[Abstract thinking]] | ||
| + | *[[Questioning skills]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | Videos: | + | Websites: |
| + | |||
| + | *[http://www.criticalthinking.org/ Criticalthinking.org] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.schoolofthought.org/ School of thought website] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Improving critical thinking skills === | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/2024/01/12/how-to-improve-your-critical-thinking/ How to Improve Your Critical Thinking], The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://uwex.wisconsin.edu/stories-news/how-to-develop-your-critical-thinking-skills/ How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills: 5 Tips], University of Wisconsin | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.stjosephacademy.com/news/improve-critical-thinking-skills-with-these-simple-tips Improve Critical Thinking Skills with These Simple Tips], St. Joseph Academy | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://tiltingfutures.org/content/how-to-develop-critical-thinking-skills/ How to develop critical thinking skills] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Importance of critical thinking === | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://graduate.nichols.edu/blog/why-is-critical-thinking-important/ Critical Thinking & Why It’s So Important] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/importance-of-critical-thinking-skills The Importance of Critical Thinking Skills, For Students and Ourselves], Southern New Hampshire University | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Logical fallacies === | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/ YourLogicalFallacyis.com website] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.fallacyfiles.org/ Fallacy Files website] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Cognitive distortions/biases === | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://psychcentral.com/lib/cognitive-distortions-negative-thinking#list-and-examples 15 common cognitive distortions and examples of each] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://arfamiliesfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Cognitive-Distortions.pdf Checklist of cognitive distortions] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://positivepsychology.com/cognitive-distortions/ Cognitive Distortions: 22 Examples & Worksheets (& PDF)] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201301/50-common-cognitive-distortions 50 Common Cognitive Distortions] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://seths.blog/2023/09/the-santa-problem/ The Santa Problem] by Seth Godin | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Videos on critical thinking:''' | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbjmSS6LZDGp5XFhW_vUP4xpdE8Rs5P8T Critical thinking] - Video playlist |
| + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?playnext=1&index=0&feature=PlayList&v=_VPg_cGAfHk&list=PL160B4FE1E81FFDE3 Critical Thinking and the Basic Elements of Thought] | ||
| + | *[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKNX4SfKpzX_bhh4LOEWEGy3pkLmFDmk Introduction to critical thinking course], Video playlist | ||
| − | [[ | + | ==References== |
| − | [[ | + | <references/> |
| + | [[Category:Epistemology]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Science]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:00, May 16, 2026
Critical thinking is an approach to gathering data and making inferences about the world. It draws heavily on ideas from the scientific revolution and advocates an approach of data acquisition and rational assessment. When applying critical thinking, the goal is to collect as much relevant data as possible, assess that data for accuracy, and finally use the data to arrive at the most justified conclusions possible.
Critical thinking is an ongoing process, and even ideas that one feels are well supported need to be occasionally reevaluated to see if new information might change one's mind. For example, critical thinking eventually showed that Copernicus was correct in claiming that the Sun was the center of the solar system, even though many people believed this to be false at the time. However, this didn't make him completely correct either, since more critical thinking showed that he was wrong on other things (he also thought that the Sun was the center of the universe).
Critical thinking uses many aspects of formal logic and informal logic. It also focuses on discovering bias, propaganda, delusion and deception (more generally, logical fallacies) both in the sources of one's information and one's own views and approaches to reasoning problems out. Teachers often cite learning critical thinking as one of the most important goals of getting an education.
Some leftists, however, conflate critical thinking with critical theory and postmodernism, the latter by using verbiage that implies one needs to look out for meanings behind words and determining for oneself what occurs, while at the same time advocating that all reality is fictional and that one can create their own ideas and reality.
Contents
Ideation tools to promote critical thinking
See also: Ideation
Analytical thinking vs. critical thinking
See also: Analytical thinking and Problem solving and Creative problem solving and Rational thinking and Intellectual curiosity
Analytical thinking and critical thinking are both crucial for problem solving, but they differ in their respective approaches. Analytical thinking focuses on breaking down complex information into smaller and more manageable parts to better understand the underlying principles and relationships (See also: Cause and effect and systems thinking). Critical thinking, on the other hand, involves evaluating information, forming better judgments, and questioning assumptions to arrive at well-reasoned and rational conclusions.[1]
Atheism and critical thinking
Recommended books
- The Thinker's Way by John Chaffee, Ph.D, 1998, Publisher: Little Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-13317-3
- The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli. Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (May 6, 2014)
See also
External links
Websites:
Improving critical thinking skills
- How to Improve Your Critical Thinking, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology
- How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills: 5 Tips, University of Wisconsin
- Improve Critical Thinking Skills with These Simple Tips, St. Joseph Academy
Importance of critical thinking
- The Importance of Critical Thinking Skills, For Students and Ourselves, Southern New Hampshire University
Logical fallacies
Cognitive distortions/biases
- The Santa Problem by Seth Godin
Videos on critical thinking:
- Critical thinking - Video playlist
- Critical Thinking and the Basic Elements of Thought
- Introduction to critical thinking course, Video playlist
