critical thinking exercises

critical thinking exercises

Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills

1. Introduction

Among the few accounts of the origin of critical thinking, Francis Bacon’s, in Novum Organum (1620), stands out. In this work, aimed at scientists, Bacon accepted the Greek view that logic was a necessary tool for drawing conclusions, but observed that his syllogisms (at that time the established deductive reasoning method) were no use at all in the investigation of new phenomena. In they only really served to confirm something already believed. What was needed was not a new logic, but an analysis of the old one: the elimination of intellectual vices and false idols. Bacon pointed out the need for clear and focused thinking in the investigation of any subject; the need to think for one’s self, with no preconceptions or assumptions, using only well-grounded conclusions as a basis for belief. He propounded a system of open-minded skepticism, where researchers would need to weigh up evidence on all sides without bias, and use their judgment to infer which side was right. This aspect of critical thinking was described by Plato in his Socratic dialogues. Socrates asked people questions to reveal their irrational thinking or lack of reliable knowledge. Socrates demonstrated that having clear reasoning and rational thinking could lead to reliable knowledge. This is the key: only reasoning that is reliable leads to the truth, and it is this more reliable reasoning that is the essence of what is now called critical thinking.

2. Understanding Critical Thinking

Sound conclusions are conclusions that are logically valid, with truths that are supported by premises and processed information. Admitting that one is wrong is very hard for anybody, for reasons of embarrassment, fear of consequences, etc. yet it is important, because not to do so brings rigidity into thinking, and can often be damaging to your own self or to others.

Firstly, someone with good critical thinking skills will be able to argue coherently, absorb and evaluate information, using that information to form sound conclusions, and knowing when to admit that they are wrong. These last two are very important.

To understand more about critical thinking, it would be good to start with a look at some of the defining characteristics. When we think of a person who has good thinking, we tend to think of many characteristics.

Everyone has different thinking styles. How we think depends not just on our personalities and feelings, but also on our environments and the problems that we are trying to solve. Since thinking is foundational to success at every human activity, and since it’s all purpose, it’s logical to assume that critical thinking is a good thing to do.

3. Benefits of Critical Thinking Exercises

It is widely recognized that critical thinking skills must be exercised in order to be developed. Numerous research studies have indicated that critical thinking skills are transferable across subject areas and are a key component to general and academic competence. When individuals are able to think critically about a given topic, they become more competent in understanding that topic. An understanding of a given topic is most likely to be permanent when individuals have thoroughly thought the topic through and have become clear as to what they understand about that topic. Another benefit of exercising critical thinking is that it encourages a meta-cognitive (thinking about thinking) approach to learning. This means that an individual is consciously aware of the strategies used to solve a problem, and understands the steps used to arrive at a solution. On complex problems this form of thinking is essential to make sense of the many conflicting views and to draw meaningful conclusions. Lastly, critical thinking is a systematic method of forming and solving problems. With useful methods and techniques of thinking critically, it gives a clear idea of the possibilities and the consequences of actions and is an excellent decision making tool. As a result of this, it is often said that critical thinking can help an individual to sift through problematic information to give a clear, concise picture, and make the most informed decision.

4. Types of Critical Thinking Exercises

Define the exact question at the beginning of the exercise. Take only 5-10 minutes to do this. It is common for people to change the decision-making process midway without stating what they are doing. This can lead to an inefficient solution. By defining the question at the start, you will have a clear task at hand.

Comparing and contrasting: Near the beginning of the class, take time to define critical thinking in your field (in my case, nursing) and the mental steps that were used to come to a clinical decision. Then compare this to the reasoning process used for a non-nursing decision. This will help identify a more precise critical thinking approach that can then be enhanced by the skills of analysis, evaluation, and inference.

Suggest 5-10 premises and a conclusion for an argument. Make sure you are working with a complex argument. Then rate the strength of each premise in how it supports the conclusion.

Deductive reasoning: Take an argument or situation and break it down into premises and conclusions. You can validate the strength of the conclusion, which helps you analyze the structure of an argument to make the best decision.

5. Conclusion

The integration of critical thinking skills into the tense classroom setting can be broadly characterized as the teaching of a thinking skill through subject matter content. There is a vital linking of the thinking skill to content that results in a unique subject-matter based thinking skill. The ideal critical thinker learns to use critical thinking to assess his environment and the issues he faces, and to apply decision-making forces to determine the best action. This powerful general purpose thinking skill ideally will have far-reaching effects in his life, enabling him to be a more effective citizen, consumer, and participant in a global economy. The ultimate goal in teaching critical thinking is the general application of the skill across all domains. The result will be a mind with intellectual depth and breadth of vision. This contrasts with a traditional “trained” mind which has mastered only a few modes of thinking, or a skilled mind that is still limited to certain areas of one’s field. A mind with intellectual discipline has the ability to use the thinking skill connected to a content area in a manner consistent with the full values of that area. An economist reasons as an economist; when a family decision revealed an unsound financial move, the economist would notice the inconsistency and be able to demonstrate the possible savings in light of the long-term plan.