My Journey into Critical Thinking

Ariana Garcia Sanchez

Critical Thinking A definition

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.

Our Concept and Definition of Critical Thinking, http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-concept-of-critical-thinking

Critical thinking is a new word which I now know more about and have become familiar with in taking this course. Some of what I’ve learned:• One can become a cultivated thinker if our mind opens up to new ideas.

With an open mind one can expend my knowledge about new concepts or add to ones that one already knows of as well.

• Thinking critically helps open up the mind to new possibilities. It becomes easier to problem solve. Being open-minded allows one have not just one answer to a problem but various ones.

• By thinking critically one can also learn to accept different types of answers then from when one originally knows.

• Having an open-mind depends on one not assuming that our approach to a situation the only best and right way.

• Critical thinking also helps one learn how to rationalize and find all the information based on fact rather then opinion. Rational thinking aids in identifying and eliminating prejudices so that there is a new objective approach to a problem.

Prerequisites: Critically thinking

• A want to learn and know more about anything being questioned.

• Pinpoint the various information in relation to the topic at hand.

• Form and idea of standpoint to make decision on whether it is reasonable or not.

• Come up with reason as to why an argument is valid.

• Recognize inconsistencies in relation to topic

How to apply it • Identify what is know and not known about

subject.

• Research can now be revised and learn from the information that is already known from the subject.

• This will serve the propose so that when thinking there is a focus to eliminate prejudices and preconceive convictions.

• By looking at the information in a rational perspective it aids in making it simple for one to suppress an immediate emotional reaction and that way deal with the situation in a better way.

• These steps in critical thinking can aid one in allowing one to continue to strengthen our thinking critically!

Using those Critically Thinking Skills

When you think critically you:

can understand better the relationship between different ideas

determine the importance and/or cogency of different type of arguments or ideas

identify, create, and analyze of arguments & concepts

are able to eliminate inconsistencies and preconceived opinions

can approach a problem with better reasoning and consistency

question a not just assume there is one answer to a problem

can be open to new ideas and/or information and accepting that not everything is as it is told

My curiosity has taken me to learn more on how to think critically.

I like to learn new concepts and this course has helped me bring to think more by making positive decisions.

I still continue and noticed that I have become more confident in the way I communicate with others. I have not gotten there completely but I have made more efforts to try and make changes that will eventually get me to one hundred percent. The steps to be a well rounded critical thinker seem simple but in my personal experience can

and do become difficult to achieve because I was so use to being really quiet not speaking up for myself.

Life Changing!• Thinking critically has definitely changed

the way I think and what I want know about the various of information that we get today.

• I like that that this learning experience has helped boost my confidence. I like I have mentioned I don’t like to talk to much and was very negative but now this has changed into a great positive in my life.

• In the past I would think that when making decisions I had really thought out all possible answers or options, I wasn’t. Now I look for all the information needed to make a decision in which I will later will not regret like in the past.

• It really serves its propose when having an open-mind because otherwise you only focus on what your opinions are rather than facts. which has aided me because now I am not quick to decide instead I take my time to really think.

Achieve greatness• Aim a clarified topic in which there is consistency and

you can use continuously • In future situations the thinking processes with

become easier not only that decision among as well• One will make the intension pf pursuing that clear aim

wanted• Discipline instilled to keep track of the various skills

and how to use them will continue with consistency. • Making changing circumstances better to handle in

the future as well.

Benefits

The best possible outcomes.

Assessment of strengths and weaknesses.

Development of foresight in keeping an open mind

to new concepts and ideas.

Taking into consideration of all possible outcomes.

Reviewing those outcomes and making the necessary changes

where needed.