The Resources of Critique Paul Reynolds Reader in Sociology and Social Philosophy MRes Lead, Social Sciences edgehill.ac.uk

A Working Definition of Critical Thinking? 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 analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism. http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-concept-of-critical-thinking/411 edgehill.ac.uk

What does it mean to be engage in critique? Moving from description or the generation of knowledge or data to doing something with it – analysing, assessing, evaluating, identifying strengths and weaknesses, identifying gaps in and new claims to knowledge, identifying significance, showing relevance and/or importance, suitability and fitness for purpose exercising judgement and drawing (provisional) conclusions Acknowledging and engaging with alternatives edgehill.ac.uk

What do critical thinkers do? Reflect on their skills at searching resources and judging the credibility of resources question and test what they read and do Identify connections – comparators and contrasts, resonances and dissonances, similarities and differences – both surface and deep, recognised and novel Make, deconstruct and reconstruct arguments, employing perspectives and claims that are both congruent and critical of their own – making new and novel arguments challenging received wisdoms – orthodoxies - convention being reflective – honest and transparent – developing your practice – accepting contestation Parrhesia, arete, phronesis edgehill.ac.uk

In small groups, consider these questions: Is your work context/conjuncture sensitive? Do you recognise/understand the traditions/orthodoxies it sits within and the criticisms of alternatives? Do you recognise similar/associative and contesting ideas/interpretations? Is your argument clear, coherent, structurally consistent and transparent? How comprehensive or selective is your interpretation? How clear is your analysis, evaluation, exlantion and judgement  How reflexive are you of your scope and limitations/ strengths and weaknesses? Have you passed the Greek tests?!   edgehill.ac.uk

Criticality- Reflections The importance of balance – do not be always uncritical and conformist but do not fetishise criticality Not every feature of a research engagement or criticality can be covered by every researcher – reconceiving researching as a collective enterprise The poasitivity of criticality An aid to research – using this lecture as a checklist The arena of discomfort and doubt Taking your work home – or the creeping habit of criticality and critical reflection The unfinished nature of an unexamined life Beware Greeks bearing gifts……………….(esp. horses) edgehill.ac.uk