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Article #29: Critical Thinking - What Is It?

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Critical thinking is a term that has the mere acquisition and retention of
become the newest buzz word. In information alone, because it involves a
reviewing the American Heritage particular way in which information is
Dictionary definition of 'think, sought and treated; 2) the mere
thinking'-one finds a broad in-depth possession of skills, because it involves
definition-one that includes the the continual use of them; and 3) the
definition of 'critical thinking.' Why mere use of those skills ("as an
then have we coined the term 'critical exercise") without acceptance of their
thinking' as if it has a new meaning and results.
those who aren't in the 'know' about what Thinking varies according to the
critical thinking is-well, they just motivation underlying it and the habits
aren't as smart or astute as those who or indoctrination since childhood. When
use the term 'critical thinking.' grounded in selfish motives, it is often
In my 'thinking' and understanding of the manifested in the skillful manipulation
word 'think'-think means using of ideas in service of one's own, or
discipline to focus on a particular one's groups', vested interest. As such
subject; to effectively and actively it is typically intellectually flawed,
process; skillfully conceptualize, apply however pragmatically successful it might
understanding, analyze, synthesize and/or be. When grounded in fair mindedness and
evaluate all information gathered; intellectual integrity, it is typically
consider the source; observe, experience, of a higher order intellectually, though
reflect, reason, communicate. In its subject to the charge of "idealism" by
most exemplary construct, 'thinking' is those habituated to its selfish use.
based on intellectual values that Thinking is unique to any individual;
transcend subject matter divisions: everyone is subject to episodes of
clarity, accuracy, precision, undisciplined or irrational thought.
consistency, relevance, sound evidence, Thinking quality is therefore typically a
good reasons, depth, breadth, and matter of degree and dependent on, among
fairness are incorporated into the other things, the quality and depth of
'thinking' process. experience in a given domain of thinking
To fully complete the 'thinking' process or with respect to a particular class of
on any subject entails the examination of questions. No one is a fully deep thinker
all precepts, notions, and the very through-and-through, but only to a
structures or elements of thought degree, with various insights and blind
implicit in all reasoning: purpose, spots, subject to various tendencies
problem or question-at-issue; towards self-delusion. For this reason,
assumptions, concepts; empirical the development of thinking skills and
grounding; reasoning leading to dispositions is a life-long endeavor.
conclusions; implications and Albeit primitive thinking begins in
consequences; objections from other utero-it isn't until a child begins to
viewpoints; and frame of reference. talk is it generally accepted that the
Using thinking to the fullest person has cognition-this is tragically
extent-a.k.a. 'critical thinking-one is limiting to the child's experience of
being responsive to variable subject confirming their ability to think and
matter, issues, and reason. Unfortunately, as soon as the
purposes-incorporating everything in an child begins to verbalize their ability
interwoven mode, including: scientific of in depth thinking they are told such
thinking, mathematical thinking, things as: 'Children are to be seen and
historical thinking, anthropological not heard'-albeit that phase has to some
thinking, economic thinking, moral degree become obsolete, but the message
thinking, ethical thinking and is still conveyed in many ways-'Because,
philosophical thinking. I said so.' 'Don't talk back.' This
Human Thinking begins as soon as the later prohibition to 'in-depth thinking'
brain is formed-in utero. The connection is frequently followed by a smack/slap
between sound/music and prenatal memory for being sassy or disrespectful. My
learning have been revealed in parental mother's favorite phrase to 'shut me up'
observations, formal experiments, when she didn't want to hear what I knew
clinical records, and first person or wanted her to look at was, "Now,
reports. Chamberlain (1998) using Howard Dorothy, don't get carried away." Thus,
Gardner's concept of multiple superficial thinking is established.
intelligences, has presented evidence for We, then, arrive into adulthood couching
musical intelligence before birth. Peter our thinking so that we don't offend or
Hepper (1991) discovered that prenates get reprimanded for saying something
exposed to TV soap opera music during unacceptable to the person(s) involved.
pregnancy responded with focused and rapt Not surprising then, the biggest
attention to this music after deterrent to exercising the full spectrum
birth--evidence of long-term memory. On of 'thinking' or 'critical thinking' is
hearing the music after birth, these the fear of appearing stupid when asking
newborns had a significant decrease in questions in order to fully complete the
heart rate and movements, and shifted in-depth 'thinking' process.
into a more alert state. Shetler (1989) Those who didn't experience or weren't
reported that 33% of fetal subjects in deterred by these parental prohibitions
his study demonstrated contrasting create various and sundry ways to
reactions to tempo variations between compensate for others' conditioned
faster and slower selections of music. superficial communication style-such as:
Thinking has two components: 1) a coining phases and buzz words-brain
framework of information and belief storm, critical thinking, think tank,
generating and processing skills, and 2) etc. While these coined phases/buzz
the habit, based on intellectual words serve the purpose-it is merely a
commitment, of using those skills to new name for a birthright, which was
guide behavior. It is contrasted with: 1) unwittingly usurped.






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