Critical thinking

Critical thinking
© 2000 PhotoDisc, Inc

Critical thinking is essential as a tool of inquiry. It is a liberating force in education and a powerful resource in one’s personal and civic life.

The ideal critical thinker is:

habitually inquisitive
well-informed
trustful of reason
open-minded
flexible
fair-minded in evaluation
honest in facing personal biases
prudent in making judgements
willing to reconsider
clear about issues
orderly in complex matters
diligent in seeking relevant information
reasonable in the selection of criteria
focused in inquiry
persistent in seeking the best type of results they can given the circumstances.
Educating good critical thinkers means working toward this ideal.

(Source: Adapted from California Academic Press, Critical thinking: what it is and why it counts, 1998)