1. A Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools
"Education is not the learning of many facts, but the training of the mind to think.” (Albert Einstein)

2. Why Critical Thinking?
The Problem Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our life and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.

3. A Definition
Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it.

4. The Result A well cultivated critical thinker:
raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;
gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively;
comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

5. What Is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcoming our native egocentrism and socio-centrism.

6. The Essential Dimensions of Critical Thinking
This conception of critical thinking is relevant to every subject, discipline,
profession and to reasoning through the problems of everyday life.
It entails five essential dimensions of critical thinking.
The analysis of thought
The assessment of thought
The dispositions of thought
The skills and abilities of thought
The obstacles or barriers to critical thought

8. The Elements of Reasoning and Intellectual Standards

9. Elements and Standards
To learn more about the elements of thought and how to apply the intellectual standards, check out the interactive model.  Simply click on the link below and use your mouse to explore each concept.
"Elements and Standards"
Online Learning Model

10. Clarity Could you elaborate further? Could you give me an example?
Could you illustrate what you mean?
Without clarity there is no accuracy or relevancy.
Example: “What can be done to the education system in Canada?” vs. “What can educators do to ensure that students learn the skills and abilities which help them function successfully on the job and in their daily decision-making?”

11. Accuracy How can we check on that?
How can we find out if that is true?
How can we verify or test that?
A statement can be clear but not accurate.
E.g., “Most dogs are over 300 pounds in weight.”

12. Precision Could you give me more details? Could you be more specific?
Could you be more exact?
Accurate but not precise
“Jack is overweight.” (How much overweight?)

13. Relevance How does that relate to the problem?
How does that bear on the problem?
How does that help us with an issue?
May be a false correlation.
Degree of effort does not equal grade assessment.
i.e., Effort does not equal quality.

14. Depth What factors make this a difficult problem?
What are some of the complexities of the question?
What are some of the difficulties we need to deal with?
e.g., “Just say no.” is a simple answer to a complex question.

15. Breadth Do we need to look at this from another perspective?
Do we need to consider another point of view?
Do we need to look at this in other ways?
Recognize only one side?
e.g., Liberal vs. Conservative

16. Logic Does this all make sense together?
Does the first paragraph fit your last?
Does what you say follow from the evidence?
Thoughts must be mutually supportive.

17. Significance Is this the most important problem to consider?
Is this the central idea to focus on?
Which of these facts is most important?
e.g., Should we focus on punishment for crime or on preventing the causes of crime?

18. Fairness Do I have any vested interest in this?
Am I sympathetically supporting the viewpoints of others?
Even though I want to get my organization to do something, am I considering the best interests of the organization?
(Conflict of interest? Have I stated it to the group?)

19. Checklist for Reasoning
1. All reasoning has a purpose.
State your purpose clearly.
Distinguish your purpose from related purposes.
Check periodically to be sure you are on target.
Choose significant and realistic purposes.

20. All reasoning is an attempt to:
2. Question
Figure something out,
Settle some question, or
Solve some problem.

21. Your Job State the question at issue clearly and precisely.
Express the question in several ways to clarify its meaning and scope.
Break the question into sub-questions.
Distinguish the questions that have definitive answers from those that are a matter of opinion, and from those that require consideration of multiple viewpoints.

22. 3. Assumptions
Clearly identify your assumptions and determine whether they are justifiable.
Consider how your assumptions are shaping your point of view.

23. 4. Point of View Identify your point of view.
Seek other points of view and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Strive to be fair-minded in evaluating all points of view.

24. 5. Data, Information, Evidence
Restrict your claims to the data you have.
Search for information that opposes your position as well as information that supports it.
Make sure the information is clear, accurate, relevant to the question at issue.
Make sure you have gathered sufficient information.

25. 6. Concepts and Ideas
Identify the key concepts and explain them clearly.
Consider the alternative concepts or alternative definitions of the concepts.
Make sure you are using concepts with care and precision.

26. 7. Inferences and Interpretation (We use them to draw conclusions.)
Infer only what the evidence implies.
Check inferences for their consistency.
Identify assumptions that lead to your inferences.

27. 8. Implications and Consequences
Trace the implications and consequences that follow from your reasoning.
Search for negative as well as positive implications.
Consider all possible consequences.

28. Now you`re ready to …
Start Thinking