Critical Thinking
< Visualizing the Critical Thinking Mind >
"Thinking is the hardest kind of work — which is probably the reason so few engage in it." - Henry Ford
If thinking is hard work, just think how hard thinking about thinking (metacognition) is! Nonetheless, in this section we will provide an 8-level framework for understanding the elements and process of critical thinking, and then use it to look at various well-known thinking tools in a unified way. We will cover:
- Critical Thinking: A disciplined approach to thinking for students and workers to improve problem solving.
- Root Cause Analysis: Using the Critical Thinking framework for root cause analysis (example: Boeing 737 MAX crashes)
- Single- and Double-Loop Learning: For seeing the role of mental models in the learning process.
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI):
For seeing how individuals' perception and judgment preferences shape their view.
- Bloom's Taxonomy:
A comprehensive view of learning dimensions for use primarily in curriculum development.
- The Scientific Method:
For developing and validating new scientific theories.
- The Engineering Method:
For developing and debugging new products.
Definition of Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or what to believe. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. Someone with critical thinking skills is able to do the following:
- Understand the logical connections between ideas.
- Identify, construct and evaluate arguments.
- Detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning.
- Solve problems systematically.
- Identify the relevance and importance of ideas.
- Reflect on the justification of one's own beliefs and values (double-loop learning).
- Identify, construct and evaluate arguments.
- Detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning.
- Solve problems systematically.
- Identify the relevance and importance of ideas.
- Reflect on the justification of one's own beliefs and values (double-loop learning).
So, just how important are critical thinking and related skills?
Here is a structured, unified view of some important thinking tools to help you better understand, navigate, develop, and perhaps teach these important skills.
