CRITICAL THINKING - purpose - definition Peeter Mehisto

What is the purpose of critical thinking?

Ultimate goal / purpose taking control of and responsibility for one’s own thinking in order to participate effectively as a member of a democratic society (Moseley et al. 2005)

Different types of thinking semi-conscious (may not be fully aware of these thoughts) everyday acts requiring little direct attention or effort deliberate acts of reflecting or bringing into attention particular aspects of our experience (Moseley et al. 2005)

But what is critical thinking? Please write a definition of critical thinking. Analyse the following five definitions. Synthesise and distill the definitions. Make visible in some form or other the essence of these definitions.

1. Critical thinking is: ‘… the awakening of the intellect to the study of itself.’ (Paul and Elder 2008)

2. Critical thinking is: ‘reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on what to believe and what to do.’ (Ennis 1985)

3. ‘Critical thinking is that mode of thinking - about any subject, content, or problem - in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them.’ (Scriven & Paul 1987 )

4. ‘Critical thinking is a capacity to work with complex ideas whereby a person can make effective provision of evidence to justify a reasonable judgement. The evidence, and therefore the judgement, will pay appropriate attention to context.’ (Moon 2008)

5. Critical or reflective thought ‘Active, persistent, and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it and the further conclusions to which it tends, constitutes reflective thought’. (Dewey 1933)

PRESENT YOUR SUMMARIES!