Critical Thinking

CRITICAL THINKING

by Antonio C. Antonio

August 13, 2014

The photo of the statue in this article is of Socrates, the father of critical thinking.  But what is Critical Thinking?

To answer this question, please allow me to reprint the last two paragraphs of an article I wrote last March 5, 2014 (“Critical Thinking: Tatak UP” published on http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/):

“I’m glad Yga mentioned “critical thinking”… this is a vital component in the intellectual skillset of anyone who has the “Tatak UP.” “Critical” means crucial and gives the sense of discernment and judgement. Here are some views on critical thinking: “The skill and propensity to engage in an activity with reflective scepticism” (McPeck, 1981) and “Disciplined, self-directed thinking which exemplifies the perfection of thinking appropriate to a particular mode of domain of thinking” (Paul, 1989). 

Core critical thinking skills include (1) observation, (2) interpretation, (3) analysis, (4) inference, (5) evaluation, (6) explanation and (7) metacognition. Critical thinking employs not only logic but broad intellectual criteria such as (a) clarity, (b) credibility, (c) accuracy, (d) precision, (e) relevance, (f) depth, (g) breadth, (h) significance and (i) fairness. Critical thinking, therefore, is simply a disciplined way of thinking which is clear, rational, open-minded and informed by evidence. “Tatak UP” will even go beyond the mere motions of intelligently answering questions but question the question until the right and relevant question is presented. In my mind, ito ang “Tatak UP”… and I’m glad my daughter and I shoot in the same direction on this matter.”  (NOTE:  “Yga” is my daughter, Prof./Atty. Regatta Marie A. Antonio of the University of the Philippines in Manila.)

On the possibility that critical thinking can be taught in school, John Passmore wrote: “If being critical consisted simply in the application of a skill then it could in principle be taught by teachers who never engaged in it except as a game or defensive device, somewhat as a crack rifle shot who happened to be a pacifist might nevertheless be able to teach rifle-shooting to soldiers.  But in fact being critical can be taught only by men who can themselves freely partake in critical discussion.”

Lately, however, Dennis Hayes debunked critical thinking as something that could not be taught in schools:  “Many teachers say they strive to teach their students to be critical thinkers.  They even pride themselves on it; after all, who wants children to just take in knowledge passively?  But there is a problem with the widespread treatment of critical thinking as a skill to be taught.  The truth is that you can’t teach people to be critical unless you are critical yourself.  This involves more than asking young people to “look critically” at something, as if criticism was a mechanical task.  As a teacher, you have to have a critical spirit.  This does not mean moaning endlessly about education policies you dislike or telling students what they should think.  It means first and foremost that you are capable of engaging in deep conversation.  This means debate and discussion based on considerable knowledge – something that is almost entirely absent in the educational world.  It also has to take place in public, with parents and others who are not teachers, not just in the classroom or staffroom.”  (http://io9.com/lets-stop-trying-to-teach-students-critical-thinking-1618729143?utm_campaign=socialflow_io9_facebook&utm_source=io9_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow)

With this information in the background, we could surmise that only the basics and fundamentals of critical thinking can be taught in school and that this particular skillset can only be advanced, honed and polished in the domain of public discourse and debate... with professionalism and high ethical standards to promote goodwill, understanding and better friendship.  And that critical thinking cannot be taught by someone who does not possess a “critical spirit” and does not normally engage in public debates and intellectual discussions.  This is another element, of a higher thought processing plane, of critical thinking.

Just my little thoughts…

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