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

2. 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.
edgehill.ac.uk

3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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?!
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6. 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)
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