A500.5.3.RB_WrightKyle

So what is Critical Thinking?

According to Nosich critical thinking involves three parts: asking questions, trying to answer those questions by reasoning them out, and believing the results of our reasoning. (Nosich, 2012, p. 5)  In other words critical thinking is purposeful and focused thinking on a given idea.  For example, is my paper is correctly formatted in APA style, you would first makes sure you understand APA formatting by studying the available text on APA style, then you would read through your paper focusing on quotes and ideas that you pulled from other sources, validating that each one had the correct reference annotation, then you would build your reference list at the end of your paper being careful to format each reference accordingly.  Critical thinking is like being a private investigator of your thoughts and continuing to ask yourself why or how to the fifth, six, or even tenth degree.

 

Critical thinking has eight elements of reasoning plus context and alternatives: assumptions, concepts, conclusions/interpretations, implications and consequences, information, point of view, purpose, and question at issue. (Nosich, 2012, p. 49)  “The elements of critical thinking are the basic building blocks of thinking, essential dimensions whenever and wherever it occurs.” (Crenshaw, Hale, & Harper, 2011, p. 15)  In other words the elements of critical thinking are the foundation upon which critical thinking is built. In this case the question at issue is what is critical thinking? And we are thinking about critical thinking in the context of a brief literary review personal knowledge acquired throughout the past few weeks of this course.  The purpose of critical thinking is to focus on the subject to find a clearer and more correct classification of the subject. The assumptions of critical thinking are that critical thinking leads to better informed decision making. The concepts of critical thinking are through critical thinking you can have a better life because my decisions are better therefore my way of life will be better. The conclusions and interpretations associated with critical thinking are, critical thinking will provide better answers and more logical solution to your questions. The implications and consequences of critical thinking are mostly the cost is of time and effort to seek out logical and focused solutions and to gather the information from reliable trustworthy sources, however the major consequences involves not using critical thinking and results in poor decision making. From my point of view critical thinking is worth the time and effort it takes to think in a critical manner, and all too often when we do not take the time or spend the effort to think critically we end up spending more time and effort re-accomplishing a task or project that could have been accomplished the first time around with a little critical thought.

 

Critical thinking also has standards which include but are not limited to: clearness, accuracy, importance and relevance, sufficiency, depth, breadth, and precision. (Nosich, 2012, p. 133) Standards of critical thinking are like sifters that remove all of the chaff that would get in the way of clear accurate thinking. While Nosich only list a few standards there are many more standards and “the context in which standards are relevant in a given situation.” (Crenshaw, Hale, & Harper, 2011, p. 16)

In conclusion critical thinking is thinking that is clear, concise, focused and reflective. It is not quick to make decisions, nor is it the easy way out. It takes time and effort, and it ask many questions, however, the end result of a well thought-out, well reflected critical thinking solution to a problem or issue can be a force multiplier and payoff exponentially. 

 

References

Crenshaw, P., Hale, E., & Harper, S. L. (2011). Producing intellectual labor in the classroom: The utilization of A critical thinking model to help students take command of their thinking. Journal of College Teaching and Learning, 8(7), 13-26. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/docview/882841167?accountid=27203

Nosich, G. M. (2012). Learning to Think Things Through: a guide to critical thinking across the curriculum (Fourth Edition ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.