Week 1 (Introduction to Critical Thinking)

Week 1

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Book

            Today was the first day that I learn about critical thinking. I always wondering, what is critical thinking? Most answer that I got is it is when you think critically. But I never get it. How actually you think critically? I always thought that thinking is the same for everyone. Just what they think is different. So, I was really excited to start learning this subject. I want to know more about it or everything about it.

            First, the lecturer told us the meaning of thinking. He wanted us to know the basic stuff first before he tells us the details of critical thinking. He said that thinking is a purposeful, organized cognitive process that we use to make sense of our world. By just that, it opened up my mind a little bit about thinking. Without thinking, everyone will be clueless about what they are doing and the world will be a disaster! We need thinking to solve problem and make decision.

            Our lecturer also explains that there are 2 types of thinking which is critical thinking and creative thinking. Of course he not was going to talk detail about creative thinking because the name of the subject is not that. Like what I heard most of the time when I asked what is critical thinking, the lecturer also said that critical thinking is when you think critically. But he explains that, you learn to think critically using mental processes such as attention, categorization, selection and judgment.

            Other than that, he also talks about the critical thinking standards. The critical thinking standards is use to make sure that your statement will be consider reach the critical thinking standards.  There are total of 8 standard in critical thinking. I thought 8 was a big number but all of the standard just logical. You don't need to panic and memorize everything. It's just logic. Before i explain what i just talk about, let me tell you the 8 critical thinking standard. The 8 critical thinking standards are clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic and fairness. You statement will actually makes a lot sense if you have these critical thinking standards.

One of the slide that i found interesting

                  Next, I learn about the benefits of critical thinking. With critical thinking, we can improve attention and observation. For example, we will be more aware of what’s going on because we more alert on something. We will also be more focused in reading. Our ability to identify the key points and to respond to the appropriate points in a message will also be improved. This is because we are more focused on the points that important. With critical thinking, we gain the knowledge on how to get our point across more easily. This benefits we gain is from the critical thinking standards.

            With benefits, there will also be barriers to critical thinking. This is the last thing we learn this week. The main question on this is, why are that so many people including many highly educated and intelligent people find critical thinking so difficult? The truth is critical thinking is not easy for everyone. To improve their critical thinking, they have to know their barriers to critical thinking and work on ways to overcome them.

That’s all I learn during this week. I learn a lot and know more about critical thinking. I learn the meaning of it, the standards, the benefits and the barriers. I have to say that I have fall in love with this subject.