Critical thinking implies:
  • That there is a reason or purpose to the thinking, some problem to be solved or question to be answered.
  • Analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information

Critical thinking recognizes:
  • Patterns and provides a way to use those patterns to solve a problem or answer a question.
  • Errors in logic, reasoning, or the thought process.
  • What is irrelevant or extraneous information.
  • Preconceptions, bias, values and the way that these affect our thinking.
  • That these preconceptions and values mean that any inferences are within a certain context.
  • Ambiguity - that there may be more than one solution or more than one way to solve a problem.



Critical thinkers:
  • Can approach something new in a logical manner.
  • Look at how others have approached the same question or problem, but know when they need more information.
  • Use creative and diverse ways to generate a hypothesis, approach a problem or answer a question.
  • Can take their critical thinking skills and apply them to everyday life.
  • Can clarify assumptions, and recognize that they have causes and consequences.
  • Support their opinions with evidence, data, logical reasoning, and statistical measures.
  • Can look at a problem from multiple angles.
  • Can not only fit the problem within a larger context, but decide if and where it fits in the larger context.
  • Are comfortable with ambiguity....
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