Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING

1.1 Defining Critical Thinking

Allah has given us many mental abilities . Unfortunately , we do not make full use of these abilities . In this way , our mind remains underdeveloped. As a result , most of us are not what they should be . They perform less than their mental potential .

Their capacity for thinking remains weak . In other words , they are not good thinkers . It is important to note that improvement in thinking is like improvement in any other field of life . It happens gradually .

Further , it needs commitment and exercise . Therefore , thinking should not be taken for granted . Such an attitude blocks thinking . It is not possible to become a good thinker without hardwork .

Specially , the development of critical thinking requires an extended effort for a long time

. One lesson is not enough . For example , if you examined a particular historical document to determine if it reflected bias or propaganda , you should also analyze other written historical documents , contemporary advertisements and news stories .

As long as thinking skills do not become overlearned and relatively automatic , they are not transferable to new situations . Instead , students will use these skills in isolation as formality to pass the examination . Students will not use thinking to evaluate the claims made . by friends , politicians , manufacturers and nutritions .

They will have to believe in other's claims blindly .

The only solution is applying good thinking.Constructing knowledge through higher - level thinking should be the target because knowing the facts and doing well on tests of knowledge is not sufficient . Parents regularly give their children different kinds of advice like . " Don't trust everything you hear or everyone you see . "

Such advice is a part of promoting critical thinking among young children . Words like " naïve " or " gullible " are used for those people who don't make critical judgments . One aim of education should be to develop the critical thinking of students .

Educated people make more sharp and exact judgments than uneducated people .

Daily conversation also demands evaluative judgments constantly . Other people judge you and you judge them . Therefore , there is always need of careful and thoughtful ideas during daily talking .

Critical thinking is the use of cognitive skills and strategies that increase the chance of a desirable outcome . It can also be said that critical thinking refers to evaluating conclusions by examining the problem, the evidence and solution logically and systematically

Definition of critical thinking

. Critical thinking is the process of making judgments about the truth or merit of an idea . Sometimes , we do this without conscious awareness of the standards being applied for critical thinking .

Some other times , we do it more formally , by applying a well - conceived system of logic . We need critical thinking frequently in our daily life .

People use at least three different approaches to critical thinking .

1. Premises -

based Approach In the first logical approach , people attempt to examine the truth of their conclusions

They apply a fairly rigorous approach to critical thinking in courts of law , political debating , editorial writing , academic contexts and problem solving .

They understand underlying premises to determine if the conclusion is correctly stated .

2. Dialectical Approach

The second approach to critical thinking is somewhat different .

It is called the " dialectical approach " . This approach attempts to discover what issues exist , what alternatives exist and what evaluative criteria exist that may be applied to address the issues .

Value is placed on with holding any judgment until all the views and alternatives have been examined .

A popular term applied to this approach is " suspension of

judgment . " This approach is mostly used to solve business - related problems .

At a lower level , this method of critical thinking is used when people decide how to spend their evening . " Shall they go to a movie ? " " which movie ? " " What else is there to do ? " " When should they meet to leave ? " " Shall they cat first ? " " Should they eat after the show ? " " What shall they like to eat etc. ? "

3. Rhetorical Approach

A third approach to critical thinking is almost persuasive . In this approach , people present ideas and evidence as a means of influence .

They may hold a position on any controversial issue such as capital punishment , mercy killing , homo - sex or abortion etc. Then , they present evidence and arguments to support their point of view .

The thinking process revolves around identifying the best evidence and arguments to support the claim or conclusion . This approach has been called the " rhetorical approach . "