There are many different definitions of critical thinking. Below, you will find a listing of several different ones. For this assignment, you should collaboratively annotate the following definitions. You should look for similarities, differences, and ideas with which you connect.
After you annotate, please develop a comment where you address the definition which you think is best and explain why.
John Dewey |
Many people traced the importance of critical thinking in education to Dewey. But Dewey did not make very extensive use of the term “critical thinking”. Instead, in his book How We Think, he argued for the importance of what he called “reflective thinking”:
… [when] the ground or basis for a belief is deliberately sought and its adequacy to support the belief examined. This process is called reflective thought; it alone is truly educative in value …
Active, persistent and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in light of the grounds that support it, and the further conclusions to which it tends, constitutes reflective thought.
There is however one passage where Dewey explicitly uses the term “critical thinking”:
The essence of critical thinking is suspended judgment; and the essence of this suspense is inquiry to determine the nature of the problem before proceeding to attempts at its solution. This, more than any other thing, transforms mere inference into tested inference, suggested conclusions into proof.Dewey (1910) How We Think, p74.
The Watson-Glasser Critical Thinking Appraisal |
The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (1980) is a well-known psychological test of critical thinking ability. The authors of this test define critical thinking as :
… a composite of attitudes, knowledge and skills. This composite includes: (1) attitudes of inquiry that involve an ability to recognize the existence of problems and an acceptance of the general need for evidence in support of what is asserted to be true; (2) knowledge of the nature of valid inferences, abstractions, and generalizations in which the weight or accuracy of different kinds of evidence are logically determined; and (3) skills in employing and applying the above attitudes and knowledge.
Rober Ennis |
A very well-known and influential definition of critical thinking is from Robert Ennis (1987):
Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.Ennis (1987) A taxonomy of critical thinking dispositions and abilities. In Baron and Sternberg (Eds.) Teaching thinking skills: Theory and practice. NY: W.H. Freeman, pp. 9-26.
Michael Scriven & Richard Paul |
This definition comes from a statement written in 1987 by Michael Scriven and Richard Paul, National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, an organization promoting critical thinking in the US.
Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness. It entails the examination of those structures or elements of thought implicit in all reasoning: purpose, problem, or question-at-issue, assumptions, concepts, empirical grounding; reasoning leading to conclusions, implications and consequences, objections from alternative viewpoints, and frame of reference.
19 thoughts on “Assignment # 1: Definitions of Critical Thinking (Due by 9/18)”
I agree with Michael Scriven & Richard Paul the definition of critical thinking for me is when people analyze, communicate and are open minded. Also its analyzing a topic from both sides positive and negative thoughts. Considering all source material.
I believe the definition that from Michael Scriven and Richard Paul, National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, an organization promoting critical thinking in the US, is the best definition of critical thinking because you are analyzing everything from what you reading to what you want to do. According to the passage it says, “It entails the examination of those structures or elements of thought implicit in all reasoning“. According to the 5 stages of critical thinking you have to be analytical, communication, creativity, open minded and be able to problem solving.
I believe that Michael Scriven and Richard Paul definition of Critical Thinking is the most thought out process of the act.
According to Robert Ennis, critical thinking is reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. As a result, it is base on how to be well informed, determine and maintain focus on. Taking into accounts of others’ feelings and understanding. In addition, a critical thinker is someone who can well develop and defend a reasonable position, identify conclusions and state reasons by knowing what you are saying in which way and how does that apply to the case.
For the first difinition, I think our knowledge is kind weak. It’s not totally ture that critical thinking is came from our knowledge. We need more professional evidence from peofessional research. But there has two thinkers think critical thinking as reflective thinking. The second one is more specific than first one. Both of them was talk about the knowledge, However, it talk about the evidence that needs to support it to be ture. The thired one is kind short and less details. The one i like most is the last one. Because it describe critical thinking in many little things. How we think , how to get evidence to support , and how to connect them to have a result. I think it explain critical thinking step by step.
I agree with Michael Scriven & Richard Paul, Critical thinking is a form of judgment. In using critical thinking one makes a decision or solves the problem of judging what to believe or what to do, but does so in a reflective way. Also is solving a problem from different perspective
I agree with Michael Scriven & Richard Paul, Critical thinking is a form of judgment. In using critical thinking one makes a decision or solves the problem of judging what to believe or what to do, but does so in a reflective way. Also its analyzing a topic from both sides positive and negative thoughts.
According to John Dewey critical thinking is active, persistent, and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds which support it and the furthest conclusions . According to Michael Scriven and Richard Paul, “Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing , applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information. I think this is the best definition of critical thinking than John Dewey’s point of view .
According to John Dewey critical thinking is active, persistent, and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds which support it and the furthest conclusions . According to Michael Scriven and Richard Paul, Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing , applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information. I think this is the best definition of critical thinking than John Dewey’s point of view .
I agree with Micheal Scriven and Richard Paul, critical thinking is observed, thinking, reasoning and etc.. It is self learn to be a great thinker, to put yourself out there and use your skills to learn. Examine the things around you, the people, problems, and much more.
I agree with Micheal Scriven and Richard Paul because they go into further detail about what critical thinking is. They claim that critical thinking involves accuracy ,precison,and consistency . Their idea is best because they explain how critical thinking is a combination of analyzing and evaluating the information that was gathered and how it is being presented .
I agree with the statement that written in 1987 by Michael Scriven and Richard Paul, National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, critical thinking is an skillful practice for people, and it very knowledge to our mind. Critical thinking can active to our think and fluent to our communication or our observation.
I Agree with Robert Ennis Critical thinking for myself is when I really take time and talk to myself and question my next step and my though process based on making a decision I am not so sure about , to me critical thinking is when you really take time into a thought instead of acting on it instantly .
I agree with Michael Scriven & Richard Paul the definition of critical thinking because every individual has the ability to sense problem, analyze a problem and also getting knowledge from what the problem is all about. To me, everybody has a different ability in analyzing a problem due to the environment.
I believe the thought of reflective thinking is a essences to help figure out as for example how can we economically sustain our environment ? Things like that can cause thinking on another level and with dewey idea of being isolated can help Improve and expand your critical thinking
According to Michael Scriven and Richard Paul, Critical thinking can be defined as “The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.” Also, it can be defined as a type of thinking in which you reflect and analyze when making decisions and solving problems. For example, based on logic and careful reasoning, critical thinking is purposeful thinking guided by reasoned proofs. In addition, it defines issues, analyzes competing themes or topics, involves relevant data, raises key questions, and utilizes knowledges strongly to make reasoned judgments.
I believe The Watson-Glasser Critical Thinking Appraisal definition on critical thinking. It states critical thinking is various attitudes, knowledge and skills.Which I believe because you can’t dig deep Into you’re thoughts with Off energy or a bad mood, your mind will be else where. Realizing or being able to solve a problem always involve critical thinking even if you might not want to think real hard. Being able to know how to and give a valid inferences, abstractions, and generalizations also always involve critical thinking.
I agree with Michael Scriven & Richard Paul the definition of critical thinking for me is when people analyze, communicate and are open minded.The problem of judging what to believe or what to do . Critical thinking can active to our communication or our observation.Also its analyzing a topic from both sides positive and negative thought.
I agree with Michael Scriven & Richard Paul the definition of critical thinking for me is when people analyze, communicate and are open minded.The problem of judging what to believe or what to do . Critical thinking can active to our communication or our observation.Also its analyzing a topic from both sides positive and negative thought.