Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking (What)

In simple terms, CT is a process for making the best choices. In slightly more formal terms, here is a definition of CT.

Critical Thinking (CT) ⇔ The subject and aligned practice that equips actors (people and groups) to make the best judgments (truth, value, action) by carefully using evidence, values, logic, and reflection.

Analysis: {actors, subject and practice, best judgments, evidence, values, logic, reflection}

What this analysis means is that if an actor is thinking critically, then all of these elements are present. And, if all these elements are present, then we can recognize that critical thinking is going on.

Analysis (Main Ideas of CT)

Analysis is the process of breaking something down into its essential parts. Here are the essential elements of CT.

Actor

An actor is a person or group. We use the term actor because actors have a role to play; in this case the role is to make wise choices.

Subject

A set of information about a topic. Examples: chemistry, political science, U.S. history, and JavaScript. Subjects can be taught, learned, and communicated.

Aligned Practice

The skillful doing of CT — making judgments, forming arguments, testing reasoning, and reflecting — in ways that match the principles of CT.

Judgment

An actor’s conclusion about what is true, what is valuable, or what should be done.

Best

The ethical judgment that provides the highest payoff (rewards minus drawbacks taken holistically) for the actor’s context (surrounding circumstances).

Evidence

Information that can be independently verified such as observations, facts, measurements, math calculations, expert opinions, experiments, and survey results.

Values

The set of standards, principles, or qualities that guide an actor’s judgments about worth, importance, or desirability.

Facts

Claims that have been proven to be true and thus have a high probability of being true (though rarely 100%).

Logic

Any systematic method for using evidence, facts, and rules to reach a justified conclusion.

Reflection

Thoughtful consideration of judgments, reasoning, and outcomes in order to improve the current judgement and future judgments.

Rationale (WIFM)

WIFM stands for “What’s in this for me?” Here are some reasons why learning and applying CT matters:

  1. CT helps you make the best judgments about reality.

    1. Figure out what is most likely true.
    2. Decide what is better or best.
    3. Choose the best actions to take.

  2. CT strengthens skills you already use every day: collaboration, learning, problem solving, and communication. Stronger CT means stronger performance in school, work, and life.

  3. CT builds confidence. It’s fun and engaging because it’s about figuring things out — and few things are more satisfying than knowing you’ve reached the best conclusion.

How to Engage in Critical Thinking (CT)

Make an Argument

Purpose: Move from a key question → to a supported judgment (truth, value, or action).

Process:
issue → research → logic → argument → reflection → repeat

Analyze an Argument

Purpose: Judge the quality of someone else’s (or your own) argument.

How: Break it into parts (issue, evidence, reasoning, conclusion) and assess:
- Are the reasons relevant and sufficient?
- Does the logic connect evidence and conclusion well?
- Is the conclusion proportionate to the support?

Think of analysis as scoring how well the reasoning supports the conclusion (from not at all → very well).

Respond to an Argument

Purpose: Decide whether and how to engage with the arguer.

Process: analyze → decide best response → respond → reflect

Options:
- Ignore the argument (no response needed).
- Strengthen it (steel-man).
- Help the arguer improve their case.
- Engage in dialogue to find the best judgment together.

Summary

Critical Thinking is active engagement with arguments. You:
- Make arguments (to support your judgments),
- Analyze arguments (to assess strength), and
- Respond thoughtfully (to improve dialogue and decision-making).