Discussion of Critical Thinking - Term Paper Example

1.0 Introduction Explosion of knowledge, quantum leap in information and rising complexities of life necessitate the adoption of critical thinking in everyday life. With due apologies to Rene Descartes, it will not be an exaggeration to say that From who said that please provide reference list “I think critically, therefore, I am.” The ever onward ebb of civilization has brought us to a juncture, where thinking is not enough evidence of existence. We need to inculcate the habit of ‘thinking thinking’ or ‘thinking critically’ to live ( This sentence from where please reference (Rene Descartes said I think, therefore, I am”. It is common domain knowledge. We have added ‘think critically’ idea to it.). It is our own creation and doesn’t require reference. Despite our best efforts biases creep in our thinking, putting into question our decisions on which we base our actions. This is due to the fact that our decisions are conditioned by our past notions, emotions, stereotypes, and whims and fancies. In face of all this, it is very hard to make objective decisions. Critical thinking holds the solution for development of an unbiased perspective. According to Cline (1, 2007), critical thinking makes use of the tools of logic and science because it values skepticism over gullibility or dogmatism, reason over faith, science of pseudoscience, and rationality over wishful thinking. Critical thinking is as much of importance in life in general, as it is in management today. Critical thinking checks prejudiced decisions and judgments flowing from basic and flawed assumptions. What is true of life in general, is also true of management and managerial practices. Most often managers indulge in critical thinking to make rational choices from multiple options and solve problems by employing ‘strategic thinking.’ ‘Strategic thinking’ is ‘operational critical thinking’ in managerial parlance. (Messina and Messina, para 8, 2007)( I also need reference list) 1.1 Critical Thinking—Past and Present Critical thinking was practiced by Native Americans, Hindus and Buddhists in ancient times. Socrates employed ‘critical thinking’ to drive home his arguments. Long history of critical thinking should not make us to deduce that critical thinking is innate to man. On the contrary, it is a faculty that is acquired only through systematic education and formal techniques. Children are not born with the power to think critically, nor do they develop this ability naturally beyond survival-level thinking (Schafersman, para 8, 1991), which is the lower-order critical thinking. Higher-order critical thinking, in contrast, can only be acquired from exogenous environment. John Dewey is credited with popularizing critical thinking as an academic discipline, and a research tool. Greatest need for critical thinking is felt in the education system where it is considered the centre around which all other educational ends gravitate. Of late, there is a paradigm shift in education with educators increasingly emphasizing on developing scientific temper, scientific skepticism and skilful thinking to promote know ‘how’ than to swig in volumes of ‘what’ information. Critical thinking helps improve the quality of life because it helps to make rational, unbiased and unprejudiced choices. On the other hand, lack of critical thinking rightly impedes intellectual growth and opportunity (Kurland, para 2, 2002). Critical thinking helps us to know ‘how’ and not know ‘what’. It is to learn ‘how to think’ and not ‘what to think’. In the face of knowledge explosion, the entire education apparatus is lopsided towards ‘what to think’ component than to ‘how to think’ (Clement and Lochhead, 1980 cited at Schafersman, para 2, 1991). 2.1 Definitions Various definitions of critical thinking give us an idea of the multiple dimensions of the subject. Some of the original definitions and concepts of critical thinking have been put forward by John Dewey. John Dewey, (John Dewey is famous philosopher. The reference is after the sentence. ) the father of the critical thinking defines it as active, persistent and careful consideration, of a belief, or supposed form of knowledge, in the light of the grounds which support it and the further conclusions to which it tends.(Dewey, 1909 cited at Fisher, 5, 2001) It is from a journal ?. Interestingly, Dewey used the term reflective thinking for critical thinking. However, the most comprehensive definition of critical thinking has been given by Scriven and Paul (2001) Journal. Critical thinking is intellectually disciplined process of actively and skilfully conceptualising, applying, analysing, synthesising and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generalised by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning or communication, as a guide to belief or action [or argument]" (Scriven & Paul, para, 1, 2001). Critical thinking can be also understood through the prism of other simpler definitions. It is a higher order scientific thinking (Schafersman, para 6, 1991), correct thinking in the pursuit of relevant and reliable knowledge (Schafersman, para 6, 1991), an ability to control one’s thinking (Eichorn, para 1, n.d.), and a quality control of the mind (Eichhorn, para 8, n.d.). Paul, Fisher & Nosich (1993), cited at Fisher (5, 2001) define critical thinking as a thinking skill that improves thinking. Critical thinking is an effort to develop reliable, rational evaluations about what is reasonable for us to believe and disbelieve (Cline, 1, 2008) Website, about.com, it is the website of newyork times group ?. Further critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do (Norris and Ennis, 1989, cited at Fisher, 7, 2001). 2.2 Discussion Going through the definitions of critical thinking constructed over the past hundred years, we come across certain points that need to be elucidated. The use of word ‘active’ in critical thinking by Dewey and Paul & Scriven is meant to contrast it with ‘passive thinking’ where the knower accepts without analysis the point of view put forward by the disseminator of information. The use of term ‘intellectually disciplined’ makes critical thinking akin to science and mathematics. This can mistakenly make us believe that use of critical thinking can be confined to classroom discussions or laboratory research. However, the gamut of critical thinking includes application of scientific methods by ordinary people to the ordinary world (Schafersman, para 9, 1991) journal in form of a web page A critical thinker bases his arguments on reason and non-critical thinker basis his arguments on emotion with a belief in set notions and stereotypes. Critical thinking checks prejudiced decisions, and judgments flowing from assumptions and stereotypes. How? Consider this. Without the faculty of critical thinking, a passive recipient will passively accept the claims of advertisements and believe all products to be good and all claims made by the politicians to be true. But in critical thinking what we believe in should necessarily stand the test of evaluation. (Chaffee cited at Facione, 3, 2007 page no. 3 it is mentioned). Thus critical thinking though an academic discipline helps build scientific temper in day to day life. However, these definitions serve to portray a simplistic definition of critical thinking where an individual faces multiple options. What we have studied here is a simplistic model of problem with ‘unilateral solvable solution’. In simplistic conditions rational decisions can easily be made on observed patterns. But life is not a simple linear progression. Real life situations and global nature of businesses carry a web of intermediaries allowing prejudices and biases come in way of making purely objective choices. Glaser (1941) not required as we have fisher citation?). cited at Fisher (6, 2001) page no. 6). helps solve the complex problem with the use of evidence. Examine any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the evidence that supports it, and further conclusion towards which it tends (Glaser, 1941 cited at Fisher, 6, 2001) page no. 6).. Tangible and intangible evidence removes bias and helps us to base our judgment purely on objective basis much like what jury does in the courtroom battles. It can be concluded that critical thinking is thinking sans one’s prejudices and biases. 2.3 Implementation The next question that seemingly arises is of methodology to be adopted for inculcation of critical thinking. Glaser (1941) cited at Fisher (10, 2001 page no. 10).) explains the methodology of critical thinking implementation in a complex scenario. The step wise critical thinking criteria begins with recognition of problems, finding of workable means to solve them, gather information, recognize unstated assumptions, to use language with accuracy, to interpret data, to appraise and evaluate statements to recognize the existence of logical relationship between propositions, to draw warranted conclusions and generations, to test generalizations, to reconstruct beliefs and to render accurate judgments about specific things and qualities in real life (Glaser, 1941 cited at Fisher,10, 2001 page no. 10). journal.). Reading and listening are two methods of imbibing knowledge. Critical reading helps to find information patterns in a text. To react systematically to what we have read or heard requires set of eight cognitive skills of process, understand, analyze, compare, synthesize, evaluate, apply and justify. Process is the way in which information is ingrained. A critical thinker cogitates with the faculties of self-awareness, honesty, open-mindedness, discipline and judgment. Open-mindedness is to accept that others can be right, we can be wrong. Awareness is recognition of our biases; honesty consists of identifying self-deceiving tactics. Discipline stands for formal carrying out of critical thinking and judgment is the unbiased opinion formed after carrying out critical thinking. A critical thinker, thus, relies on reason and uses the evidence present to make a decision (Kurland, 2002, para 2 , neither it is a website used for academic purposes. There are no pages so para is mentioned.). It is important to mention here that the critical thinker need not only possess skills but should also be willing to use them when required. 2.4 The Ethical Question The discussion on methodology and implementation brings us to the ethical dilemma faced by critical thinking theorists and practitioners. For example, consider the case of nuclear energy. A group of individuals do critical thinking and decide to use the nuclear energy for making weapons of mass destruction. This is not a case of, as we may believe, of negative use of critical thinking because critical thinking by its very nature curbs actions that are unwise. A critical thinker will never resort to actions that are unjust, imprudent and indiscreet. ( This is our own point of view) 2.5 The Manager and Critical Thinking A manager has to make choices, decide upon the course of action and solve problems in his day to day functioning. A manager tries to solve a problem through critical thinking in the same manner as a common man uses it in life in general. As the quality of life is improved by critical thinking so is the job performance of manager. Critical thinking helps the manager to adopt objective, simplest, shortest and surest path for solving a problem. The role of the manager is fraught with conditions where he has to make choices between various options, and adopt an effective road to action. In a typical workplace scenario everything affects everything else. In the managerial critical thinking everything is interconnected and interdependent. Management requires “wholistic thinking” which can oversee whole patterns in sets of information. ( This is our own point of view). Ideally, development of critical thinking is carried out simultaneously with the development of ‘will’ to implement it. In larger managerial atmosphere, with a web of interdependencies (Richmond, 1, 1993 page no. 1) the ‘will’ for critical thinking is imbibed in the systems of the company through ‘strategic thinking’ models. Strategic Thinking is about clarity and simplicity, meaning and purpose, focus and direction, relationships and feedback, and desired outcomes. (Hainescentre.com, 2007). it is from a website. ‘Strategic thinking’, ‘systems thinking’ and ‘critical thinking’ mean one and the same and the only difference is where they are put to use. The faculties remain the same however the terminology becomes more business like and task specific when we consider critical thinking in context of a manager. The systems thinking model developed by Messina & Messina (para 8, 2007) page no. ?). From a website ? encourages openness for improvement in the problem solving process by encouraging creativity. ‘Brainstorming’ and ‘Starbusting’ sessions are organized allowing for the maximum number of ideas to pour in (Messina and Messina, para 8, 2007). Ultimately reality testing of possible solutions is carried out through either of the Critical Path analysis, Decision Trees, Force Field analysis, Plus-Minus-Analysis, and SWOT Analysis (Messina and Messina, para 8, 2007). 3.0 Conclusion Critical Thinking as an academic discipline is new, though mankind has been using critical thinking in day to day activities since times immemorial. Socrates is considered as a father figure of critical thinking since ancient times. John Dewey is credited with promoting it as a separate branch. However, critical thinking, a reflective tool, is not present in a person since birth. It has to be ingrained through disciplined and formal study. Mathematics and exact sciences are most oriented towards critical thinking. But quantum jump in information and facts related to these studies have made them drift away from ‘critical thinking.’ Off late, educators have shown renewed interest in establishing critical thinking as a formal science. Critical thinking is also important from the managerial point of view due to increase in business activity, globalization and competition. Critical thinking aids the managers to retain objectivity and unbiased approach even in face of voluminous information and choices. Critical thinking in practice in a business model is same as strategic thinking and systems thinking. (our own point of view). References: Cline, A, (2008), What is Critical Thinking? (P.1)The About.com Website, Retrieved October 23rd 2008, http://atheism.about.com/od/criticalthinking/a/criticalthink.htm Pp1-2 Richmond, B, (1993), Systems thinking: critical thinking skills for the 1990s and beyond, Systems Dynamics Review, Volume 9, Number 2, Summer 1993 Retrieved 23rd October, 2008, http://www.clexchange.org/ftp/documents/whyk12sd/Y_1993-05STCriticalThinking.pdf Pp. 113-133 Facione, P, (2007) Critical thinking, what it is, why it counts Accessed October 23rd 2008, The California Academic Press Website, “www. isnsightassessment.com http://www.insightassessment.com/pdf_files/what&why2006.pdf Pp 1-23 Fisher, A, (2001) Critical thinking an introduction, Cambridge University Press, “The Cambridge University Website,” http://www.cambridge.org, Retrieved October 22nd 2008, Pp 1-17. Schafersman, S, D., (1991) An introduction to critical thinking, The Free Inquiry Website, http://www.freeinquiry.com/ Retrieved October 22nd, 2008, http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-thinking.html Eichorn, R, (n.d.) Developing thinking skills: critical thinking at the army management staff college, The Army Management Staff College Website”, http://www.amsc.army.mil Retrieved October 24th 2008, http://www.amsc.belvoir.army.mil/roy.html Scriven, M., Paul, R., (1987) Critical thinking as defined by the national council for excellence in critical thinking, “The Critical Thinking Community Website” http://www.criticalthinking.org, Accessed October 24th 2008, Messina, J., Messina, C, (2007) Overview of Critical Thinking, “The Website for Coping with Life’s Stresses,” http://www.coping.org, Retrieved October 24th 2008, Haines Centre for Strategic Management (2007), Strategic thinking and systems thinking, The Haines Centre for Strategic Management Website, http://www.hainescentre.com, Retrieved October 22nd 2008, Kurland, D., (2002) How the language really works: the fundamentals of critical reading and effective writing, “Dan Kurland’s Critical Reading Website,” http://www.criticalreading.com/, Accessed October 22nd 2008, http://www.criticalreading.com/learnreadwritetoc.htm Read More