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Example thinker
Irrespective of the sphere of thought, "a well-cultivated critical thinker": [11]
raises important questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely
gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively
comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and
standards
communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems, without
being unduly influenced by others' thinking on the topic.
Example thinker
Irrespective of the sphere of thought, "a well-cultivated critical thinker": [11]
raises important questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely
gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively
comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and
standards
communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems, without
being unduly influenced by others' thinking on the topic.
Critical thinking is self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in
a fair-minded way. People who think critically consistently attempt to live rationally, reasonably,
empathically. They are keenly aware of the inherently flawed nature of human thinking when left
unchecked. They strive to diminish the power of their egocentric and sociocentric tendencies. They use the
intellectual tools that critical thinking offers concepts and principles that enable them to analyze, assess, and
improve thinking. They work diligently to develop the intellectual virtues of intellectual integrity, intellectual
humility, intellectual civility, intellectual empathy, intellectual sense of justice and confidence in reason. They
realize that no matter how skilled they are as thinkers, they can always improve their reasoning abilities and they
will at times fall prey to mistakes in reasoning, human irrationality, prejudices, biases, distortions, uncritically
accepted social rules and taboos, self-interest, and vested interest. They strive to improve the world in whatever
ways they can and contribute to a more rational, civilized society. At the same time, they recognize the
complexities often inherent in doing so. They avoid thinking simplistically about complicated issues and strive to
appropriately consider the rights and needs of relevant others. They recognize the complexities in developing as
thinkers, and commit themselves to life-long practice toward self-improvement. They embody the Socratic
principle: The unexamined life is not worth living, because they realize that many unexamined lives together
result in an uncritical, unjust, dangerous world.
Definition of Critical Thinking: Reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or
do.
A brief elaboration of the above definition, entitled "A Super-Streamlined Conception of
Critical Thinking", is below. For exemplification that includes the distinction between
critical thinking dispositions and abilities, see "Critical Thinking: A Streamlined
Conception" from Teaching Philosophy (1991). For a longer, slightly-revised,
unexemplified definition/conception, see long definition. This "long definition" could serve
as a comprehensive outline for a critical thinking curriculum, or for the general aspects
of "critical thinking across the curriculum". It also could serve as the basis for a table of
specifications for varylng levels of critical thinking assessment. For considerably more
elaboration and exemplification see Ennis' Critical Thinking, published by Prentice Hall,
1996.
A SUPER-STREAMLINED CONCEPTION OF CRITICAL THINKING
Developed (last revised 11/26/10) by Robert H. Ennis, rhennis@illinois.edu.
A critical thinker:
1. Is open-minded and mindful of alternatives
2. Desires to be, and is, well-informed
3. Judges well the credibility of sources
4. Identifies reasons, assumptions, and conclusions
5. Asks appropriate clarifying questions
6. Judges well the quality of an argument, including its reasons, assumptions, evidence,
and their degree of support for the conclusion
7. Can well develop and defend a reasonable position regarding a belief or an action,
doing justice to challenges
8. Formulates plausible hypotheses
9. Plans and conducts experiments well
10. Defines terms in a way appropriate for the context
11. Draws conclusions when warranted but with caution
12. Integrates all of the above aspects of critical thinking
Although the word 'critical' is sometimes used in a negative sense, this conception of
critical thinking is not negative. Also, it does not treat critical thought as persuasion, but
critical thought will, we hope, often be persuasive. The future of democracy depends on
it.