The act or habit of carefully exploring the thinking process to clarify understanding and make more intelligent decisions.
rationalizing or propositional logic
Applying one's own views and approaches, rather than simply accepting other people's information, attitudes and judgments. In the UK, this is probably the most highly valued attribute that a learner can display, and is normally mentioned in criteria by which marks are awarded for coursework and examinations. In the UK, educationists normally value critical thinking over the ability to learn facts.
humans do a lot of thinking: some is sloppy, unreasonable, and illogical, and some is carefully based on sound reason and logic. Critical thinking is careful, reasonable and logical.
the ability to think through situations adequately, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages so as to be able to make appropriate decisions concerning one's own or other people's environment
level: Comprehensive (3) [ order by level] An often abused term that in education theory refers to a loosely defined set of skills that teachers should encourage in their students. They include the ability to rationally examine arguments and evidence and to reach conclusions based on them.
Using higher order thinking skills, e.g. analysis or evaluation, to gain understanding of complex problems or ideas.
The deliberate process of acquiring information and then evaluating it to reach a logical conclusion or answer.
The ability to acquire information, analyze and evaluate it, and reach a conclusion or answer by using logic and reasoning skills.
The careful and deliberate determination of whether to accept, reject, or suspend judgment about a claim. Center for Critical Thinking Library at criticalthinking.org: Links to articles on critical thinking. Critical Thinking Links: Selection of links to critical thinking sites. Critical Thinking Resources at Longview Community College: An extensive collection of good, general information about critical thinking. Includes a section on pseudoreasoning and links to other relevant information. Critical Thinking Links: Another collection of links to critical thinking information on the Web. Mission Critical's site (San Jose State University's Critical Thinking Web Page): Good general site for information on all aspects of critical thinking: argument, argument analysis, fallacies, etc. Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking: An organization devoted to the ideals of critical thinking. Critical Thinking Links: Site includes links to critical thinking definitions, discussions, organizations, resources, puzzles, etc. Why is Critical Thinking so Critical??: Links to sites that will attempt to answer this question.
"Critical thinking is the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned and goal directed - the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task. Critical thinking also involves evaluating the thinking process - the reasoning that went into the conclusion we've arrived at the kinds of factors considered in making a decision. Critical thinking is sometimes called directed thinking because it focuses on a desired outcome." Halpern, Diane F. Thought and Knowledge: An Introduction to Critical Thinking. 1996.
A set of skills that allows one to rationally assess their experiences for truthfullness and value. TMS promotes critical thinking as it relates to the consumption of media.
Reasonable reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do. More precisely, it is assessing the authenticity, accuracy, and/or worth of knowledge claims and arguments. It requires careful, precise, persistent and objective analysis of any knowledge claim or belief to judge its validity and/or worth.
requires a student to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information.
A kind of logical thinking that uses reliable evidence£®It is the opposite of biased, careless thinking£®Some people take the word "critical"to mean thinking that is "negative and fault-finding, "but for teaching purposes it means thinking that is "skillful and responsible£®"For example, a critical thinker can accurately and fairly explain a point of view that he or she does not agree with
Logical thinking that draws conclusions from facts and evidence.
The process of determining the authenticity, accuracy, or value of something. It is characterised by the ability to seek reasons and alternatives, perceive the complete situation, and change one's view based on evidence and reasoning. Back to the top
Cultivated analytical skills allowing students to logically comprehend and solve complex concepts or problems.
Thinking that involves the principled application of standards and criteria in the evaluation of practical and theoretical options for the purpose of reaching conclusions about those options.
Complex thinking based on the acquisition and evaluation of new knowledge. The focus of learning is the pursuit of logical conclusions drawn from facts and evidence. The goal is for students to develop skills that help them critically assess information and avoid indoctrination into received wisdom. ( learn more)
Critical thinking consists of mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that people have offered as true. It forms a process of reflecting upon the meaning of statements, examining the offered evidence and reasoning, and forming judgments about the facts.