Thinking Critically - Cengage

1 Thinking Critically242 Carefully exploring situations with questionsThinking independently Viewing situations from different perspectivesSupporting diverse perspectives with reasons and evidenceDiscussing ideas in an organized wayAnalyzing issues Thinking actively Thinking CriticallyCarefully exploring the Thinking processto clarify our understanding and makemore intelligent a Critical 10/9/07 4:22 PM Page 42 Houghton MifflinThinking Critically43In ancient Greece, most advanced students studied philosophy in order to achieve wisdom. (The term philosophyin Greek means lover of wisdom. ) In today sworld, many college students are hoping, through their studies, to become themodern-day equivalent: informed, critical critical thinker is someone whohas developed a knowledgeable understanding of our complex world , a thoughtfulperspective on important ideas and timely issues, the capacity for penetrating insightand intelligent judgment, and sophisticated Thinking and language word criticalcomes from the Greek word for critic (kritikos), which means to question, to make sense of, to be able to analyze.

2 It is by questioning, makingsense of situations, and analyzing issues that we examine our Thinking and the think-ing of others. These critical activities aid us in reaching the best possible conclusionsand decisions. The word criticalis also related to the word criticize,which means toquestion and evaluate. Unfortunately, the ability to criticize is often only useddestructively, to tear down someone else s Thinking . Criticism, however, can also beconstructive analyzing for the purpose of developing a better understanding of whatis going on. We will engage in constructive criticism as we develop our ability to is the way you make sense of the world ; Thinking Critically is thinkingabout your Thinking so that you can clarify and improve it.

3 In this chapter you willexplore ways to examine your Thinking so that you can develop it to the fullestextent possible. That is, you will discover how to think a critical thinker transforms you in positive ways by enabling you tobecome an expert learner, view the world clearly, and make productive choices asyou shape your life. Critical Thinking is not simply one way of Thinking ; it is a totalapproach to understanding how you make sense of a world that includes many best way to develop a clear and concrete idea of the critical thinker youwant to become is to think about people you have known who can serve as critical- Thinking models. They appear throughout humanity. The Greek philosopherSocrates was in many ways the original critical thinker for whom we have a histor-ical record, and the depth and clarity of his Thinking is immortalized in theDialoguesrecorded by Plato, his student.

4 As a renowned teacher in his native city ofAthens, Socrates had created his own school and spent decades teaching young peo-ple how to analyze important issues through dialectical questioning an approachthat became known as the Socratic Method. At the age of seventy, he was deemed adangerous troublemaker by some of the ruling politicians. Based on his teachings,students were asking embarrassing questions; in particular, they were questioningthe politicians authority and threatening their political careers. Those publiclyaccusing him gave Socrates an ultimatum: Either leave the city where he had spenthis entire life, never to return, or be put to death. Rather than leave his belovedAthens and the life he had created, Socrates chose death.

5 Surrounded by his familyand friends, he calmly drank a cup of hemlock-laced tea. He reasoned that leavingAthens would violate the intellectual integrity upon which he had built his life andhad taught his students to uphold. Instead of sacrificing his beliefs, he ended his life, 10/9/07 4:22 PM Page 43 Houghton Mifflin44 Chapter 2 Thinking Criticallyconcluding with the words: Now it is time for us to part, I to die and you to life or death is better is known to God, and to God only. Today especially, we all need to become philosophers, to develop a philosophicalframework. Critical Thinking is a modern reworking of a philosophical would youidentify as expert critical thinkers? To qualify, the people youidentify should have lively, energetic minds.

6 Specifically, they should be: Open-minded:In discussions they listen carefully to every viewpoint, evaluat-ing each perspective carefully and fairly. Knowledgeable:When they offer an opinion, it s always based on facts or evidence. On the other hand, if they lack knowledge of the subject, theyacknowledge this. Mentally active:They take initiative and actively use their intelligence to con-front problems and meet challenges instead of simply responding passively toevents. Curious:They explore situations with probing questions that penetratebeneath the surface of issues instead of being satisfied with superficial explanations. Independent thinkers:They are not afraid to disagree with the group develop well-supported beliefs through thoughtful analysis instead ofuncritically borrowing the beliefs of others or simply going along with thecrowd.

7 Skilled discussants:They are able to discuss ideas in an organized and intelli-gent way. Even when the issues are controversial, they listen carefully toopposing viewpoints and respond thoughtfully. Insightful:They are able to get to the heart of the issue or problem. Whileothers may be distracted by details, they are able to zero in on the essence, seeing the forest as well as the trees. Self-aware:They are aware of their own biases and are quick to point themout and take them into consideration when analyzing a situation. Creative:They can break out of established patterns of Thinking and approachsituations from innovative directions. Passionate:They have a passion for understanding and are always striving tosee issues and problems with more Activity IS A CRITICAL THINKER?

8 Think about people you know whom you admire as expert thinkers and list someof the qualities these people exhibit that you believe qualify them as criticalthinkers. For each critical- Thinking quality, write down a brief example 10/9/07 4:22 PM Page 44 Houghton MifflinThinking Critically45 Now It Is Time for Us to Part, I to Die and You to Live .. What can you tell about Socrates reaction to his impending death based on this painting byJacques-Louis David? What is the reaction of his family and friends? If you were a closefriend of Socrates, what would be your reaction? Why?Visual Thinkingthe person. Identifying such people will help you visualize the kind of people you dlike to emulate. As you think your way through this book, you will be creating a por-traitof the kind of critical thinker you are striving to become, a blueprintyou canuse to direct your development and chart your chapter explores some of the cognitive abilities and attitudes that charac-terize critical thinkers, including the following: Thinking actively Carefully exploring situations with questions Thinking independently Viewing situations from different perspectives Supporting diverse perspectives with reasons and evidence Discussing ideas in an organized wayThe remaining chapters in the book examine additional Thinking abilities thatyou will need to develop in order to become a fully mature critical 10/9/07 4.

9 22 PM Page 45 Houghton MifflinThinking ActivelyWhen you think Critically , you are actively using your intelligence, knowledge, andabilities to deal effectively with life s situations. When you think actively, you are: Getting involved in potentially useful projects and activities instead of remain-ing disengaged Taking initiative in making decisions on your own instead of waiting passivelyto be told what to think or do Following through on your commitments instead of giving up when youencounter difficulties Taking responsibility for the consequences of your decisions rather thanunjustifiably blaming others or events beyond your control When you think actively, you are not just waiting for something to happen. Youare engaged in the process of achieving goals, making decisions, and solving prob-lems.

10 When you react passively, you let events control you or permit others to doyour Thinking for you. Thinking Critically requires that you think actively notreact passively to deal effectively with life s on Your ThinkingAs our minds grow and develop, we are exposed to influences that encourage us tothink actively. We also have many experiences, however, that encourage us to thinkpassively. For example, some analysts believe that when people, especially children,spend much of their time watching television, they are being influenced to think pas-sively, thus inhibiting their intellectual growth. Listed here are some of the influenceswe experience in our lives along with space for you to add your own influences. As youread through the list, place an Anext to those items you believe in general influence youto think activelyand a Pnext to those you consider to be generally :People:Reading booksFamily membersWritingFriendsWatching televisionEmployersDancingAdvertisersDra wing/paintingSchool/college teachersPlaying video gamesPolice officersPlaying sportsReligious leadersListening to music Politicians(etc.)