Understanding of Critical Thinking

First the word critical comes from two Greek roots, Kriticos which means discerning judgment and the other Greek root is kriterion which means standards.

The text book from this class has described Critical Thinking as, “explicit thinking aimed at well-founded judgment, utilizing appropriate evaluation standards in an attempt to determine true worth, merit, or value of something. ” The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking calls Critical thinking 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. I define Critical Thinking as the ability to analyze situations with a neutral balance in reality. It is vital to look at the issue that we are sitting in judgment regarding in analysis, with our feet firmly planted on the ground with realistic concepts. Paul, R. , & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking learn the tools the best thinkers use. (p.

XIX). Upper Saddle River, NJ & Columbus, Ohio: Pearson Prentice Hall http://www. criticalthinking. org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/410 2. Where did the concept of “critical thinking” originate? The concept of critical thinking originated by Socrates the Greek philosopher more than 2500 years ago. He discovered this by a method of probing questioning that people could not rationally justify their confident claims to knowledge. He established the importance of asking deep questions that probe profoundly into thinking before we accept ideas as worthy of belief.

Socrates’ practice was followed by the critical thinking of Plato (who recorded Socrates’ thought), Aristotle, and the Greek skeptics, all of whom emphasized that things are often very different from what they appear to be and that only the trained mind is prepared to see through the way things look to us on the surface (delusive appearances) to the way they really are beneath the surface (the deeper realities of life). http://www. criticalthinking. org/pages/a-brief-history-of-the-idea-of-critical-thinking/408 3. Give three examples of where stopping to think critically would help you throughout your lifetime.

Identify an intellectual characteristic (pages 194-208) that would be used in each example. WOW! I have so many ideas but to name just three I would have to pick Religion, buying a home, and employment. The first is going to be Religion. Using the Intellectual Autonomy, from the text book states that we do not depend on others when deciding what to believe and what to reject. But influenced by others views on t he subject and that there is believable evidence to support the views. I am my own person and I believe in God and know my feelings and thoughts are really just between me and God.

Nothing else matters when it comes down to this. I have looked into other religions and churches but have always come home to where I believe this where I am supposed to be. I married a Mennonite (his family and the way he was raised. ) My daughter knows both religions and she is now 16 and makes her own mind up and she prefers a non denominational church as long as God is involved who I am to judge, The Bible states it the has many windows, I use this as a way the Bible offers many people to believe what they believe and in picking their own religion.

The second critical thinking I will use in my life will be when I purchase a home. I will use Intellectual Perseverance thinking where buying a home is concerned. It is easy to go on first impressions. But I need to make sure I think on an intellectual perseverance and then rationally figure out what buying a house complexities are. I want to buy a house within the next year and have been watching a series on HGTV called House Hunters. I have to consider, size of home…square footage, how many rooms in the floor plan I would want. Do I plan to have a large family, if so what about the ard size? Can I have a fence, pool and a sun porch? Price for monthly payments being affordable and how does it rationally fit in my monthly budget. Will I be happy there for a lifetime? Do I want to live in the city or country? The third critically thinking I must do is about my employment. I would use Confidence in Reason. The book states to have confidence in reason you are moved in appropriate ways. This reasonability becomes one of the most important focal points in ones life. This concept of thinking can also be applied to my Religious views as well.

Thoughts for employment is the pay right and will it allow me to obtain the things I want to have in life, how will the work atmosphere and responsibilities affect me and my family? Can I do it and what is involved, how does location play in the employment? Is there traveling involved, how it will affect my family, hours that job requires, and is there like additional school going to be required? Example is like what if I wanted to do repo automobiles for a life employment. Paul, R. , & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking learn the tools the best thinkers use. p. XIX). Upper Saddle River, NJ & Columbus, Ohio: Pearson Prentice Hall 4. Explain how this class has helped or not really helped you to think critically. This class has allowed me to learn that I was selfish in my thinking and I have learned to try and see both sides of the problem before coming up with a solution to my problem thought process. I have been using my elements of thought handout in My English class and I think my learning from this class will help me in future endeavors and understand the pros and cons of different scenarios I may face in my life.

Talking my problems out in my head didn’t allow me to see what I needed to see. Putting it on paper using black and white I understand why it is I have made the decision I have. I’m glad I have taken this class it has made me look at myself as a different person. I feel everyone should take this class as a requirement; it will not only help you in your personal life and it your school works. 5. Critique the class. What would you change and what things do you feel should remain as part of the course? I love this class. I had a hard time in the beginning because I didn’t have the book.

I wish the first 2 chapters would have been posted for people who didn’t have the book yet. Most of my other classes have the first couple chapters posted incase the books are not in or whatever the case maybe. I feel this is what is taking my grade lower than what I wanted it to be. I think this class has so much information that I would recommend everyone take this class, like I said previously I feel it should be required. However, taking it in an 8 week session doesn’t give the full advantage of the class. There is so much that one will learn about themselves they just need time to use and appreciate how to think critically!