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SCC
Critical Thinking
Subcommittee
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Critical Thinking
SCC's Definition
Critical thinking
is a rational, dynamic, and self-regulated process of developing credible (but provisional) answers to complex questions. When thinking critically about a question, one must:
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generate a number of plausible alternative answers based on diverse perspectives.
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gather evidence that is both reliable and relevant to answering the question.
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rationally evaluate plausible alternative answers by examining this evidence.
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provisionally select the answer that best fits the evidence (i.e., select a credible rather than merely a plausible answer).
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continue to evaluate this provisional answer with respect to plausible alternatives as new evidence is collected.
Other Definitions of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.
Michael Scriven & Richard Paul for the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking Instruction
http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/definingCT.shtml
Critical thinking is that mode of thinking-about any subject, content,or problem-in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.
The Critical Thinking Community
http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/ourConceptCT.shtml
Critical thinking consists of a mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that people have offered as true. It forms a process of reflecting upon the meaning of statements, examining the offered evidence and reasoning, and forming judgments about the facts.
Wikipedia-Critical Thinking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking
Critical thinking, as the term is generally used these days, roughly means reasonable and reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do. (2) In doing such thinking, one is helped by the employment of a set of critical thinking dispositions and abilities that I shall outline, and that can serve as a set of comprehensive goals for a critical thinking curriculum and its assessment. Pedagogical usefulness, not elegance or mutual exclusiveness, is the purpose of this outline.
CriticalThinking.net
http://www.criticalthinking.net/SSConcCTApr3.html
We understand critical thinking to be purposeful, self-regulatory judgment which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological, or contextual considerations upon which that judgment is based.
The Delphi Report
http://www.insightassessment.com/dex.html
The use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome - in the long run, critical thinkers will have more desirable outcomes than 'noncritical' thinkers (where 'desirable' is defined by the individual, such as making good career choices or wise financial investments).
Diane Halpern (1999)
New Directions for Teaching and Learning
Volume: 1999, Issue: 80, Pages: 69-74
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