Critical thinking

{{philosophy}}
{{cquote|We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s [[Denialism|fixed]] [[Faith|beliefs]] and undermining parental [[Argument from authority|authority]].|||[[Republican Party]] of [[Texas]] 2012 platform''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121015054225/http://s3.amazonaws.com/texasgop_pre/assets/original/2012Platform_Final.pdf 2012 Report of Platform Committee] ''Republican Party of Texas'' (archived from 15 October 2012).</ref>}}

'''Critical thinking''' is an approach to gathering data, making inferences, and analyzing said inferences so as to determine rationally justifiable reasons to hold a certain belief.<ref> Vaughn, L., &amp; MacDonald, C. (2013). The power of critical thinking. Oxford University Press.</ref>  In practice, critical thinking draws heavily on ideas from the [[scientific revolution]], [[philosophy]], and [[logic]]. 

Critical thinking advocates a particular approach to data acquisition and rational assessment. People applying critical thinking often aim to collect as much relevant data as possible, and then to assess that data for accuracy, and finally use the data to arrive at the most justified conclusions possible. Critical thinking is an ongoing process and even ideas that one feels are well-supported need to be occasionally reevaluated to see if new information might change one's mind. It's particularly relevant to critical thinking that one evaluates the validity of a given argument, and whether or not the reasons in support of the presented conclusion are sound. For this reason, Critical thinking uses many aspects of [[logic|formal logic]] and [[logic|informal logic]]. It also focuses on discovering and unmasking [[bias]], [[propaganda]], [[delusion]], and [[deceit|deception]]&nbsp;— both in the sources of one's information and in one's own views and approaches to [[reasoning]] problems out.

It is important to emphasize that thinking critically is not simply basing one's beliefs on the available [[evidence]], but also knowing what sort of inferences and beliefs are rationally justifiable given the nature of the evidence itself.

==Fascist opposition==
{{main|Fascism}}
Umberto Eco's wrote in describing [[Newspeak]] in his 1995 essay "Eternal Fascism", "All the [[Nazi]] or Fascist schoolbooks made use of an impoverished vocabulary, and an elementary syntax, in order to limit the instruments for complex and critical reasoning."<ref>[https://archive.org/details/eco_ur-fascism Ur-fascism] by Umberto Eco (June 22, 1995) ''The New York Review of Books''.</ref>

Randi Weingarten, leader of the American Federation of Teachers [[union]], wrote that teachers do four things that are antithetical to fascism, teaching critical thinking skills, creating welcoming communities for all children and their families, creating opportunities for children, and teachers forming a strong labor unions.<ref>''Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy'' by Randi Weingarten (2025) Thesis. ISBN 9798217045419.</ref>{{rp|3}}

==Examples of critical thinking skills==
According to the Collegiate Learning Assessment,<ref>[http://www.teaglefoundation.org/teagle/media/library/documents/resources/hersh_ctdefinitions_1.pdf Defining Critical Thinking, Analytical Reasoning, Problem Solving and Writing Skills] by Richard H. Hersh</ref> critical thinking skills typically include the following:
*Determining what information is or is not relevant.
*Distinguishing between [[Rationalism|rational]] and [[Emotional appeal|emotional claims]].
*Knowing how to separate [[Opinion#Fact vs Opinion|fact from opinion]].
*Recognizing the ways in which evidence might be limited or compromised.
*Spotting [[Deceit|deception]] and holes in the arguments of others.
*Being able to present a personal analysis of the data or information.
*Recognizing [[Logical fallacy|logical flaws]] in various arguments.
*Drawing connections between discrete sources of data and information.
*Selecting the strongest set of supporting information.
*Recognizing that a problem may have no clear answer or single answer.
*Being able to articulate the argument and the context for that argument in a clear and fair manner. 
*How to correctly and precisely use evidence to defend the argument

The Foundation for Critical Thinking, however, has proffered a more complete list and detailed analysis of critical thinking skills.<ref>[http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/strategy-list-35-dimensions-of-critical-thought/466 Strategy List: 35 Dimensions of Critical Thought]</ref>

Having a basic understanding of [[formal logic]], [[statistics]], and [[probability]] no doubt aids in the pursuit of critical thinking.  In fact, the more knowledge one has the more they may be able to successfully identify factual errors in the arguments of others.  Basic {{wpl |scientific literacy}} is also integral to the application of critical thinking.

==In a nutshell==
QualiaSoup provides a brief and educational look at some of the principles of critical thinking.

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==See also==
*[[Scientific method]]

==References==
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Categories: science, philosophy