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What are Practical Critical Thinking Skills?There are many definitions of critical thinking. That’s to be expected. It encompasses much of what we do when using our brains.
Some key elements of critical thinking are observing, analyzing, comprehending, interpreting, reasoning, logic, strategy, common sense, creativity, identifying assumptions, gathering and evaluating relevant information and data objectively, understanding, judgment, verification, validation, considering multiple perspectives and factors, drawing conclusions, convergent and divergent thinking, applying experience intelligently, resourcefulness and imagination. Phrases like focused thinking, cognitive process, objective truth, self-reflection, and informed opinions also describe critical thinking. Critical thinkers strive to think rationally, reasonably, and empathically. In short, critical thinkers are truth seekers. Yes, this previous paragraph is a word salad due to the vastness of critical thinking skills. That said, the power of critical thinking skills is understandable and useful when explained and applied practically. Let’s clarify, articulate, and simplify critical thinking skills.
The Core of Critical Thinking – Start with embracing a curious and open mind. Next, ask well-thought-out questions, carefully listen to the answers, and apply your knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. This leads to making well-thought-out decisions, insightful problem-solving, and accomplishing worthwhile tasks. By researching and analyzing facts, data, and evidence, you will become more confident in deciding between results and rhetoric. Accordingly, this book focuses on practical critical thinking skills for personal life, education, and business. In a nutshell, a simple definition of practical critical thinking is:
Let’s explore each of these critical thinking components. Apply Complex Reasoning – Think clearly by rationally and logically studying, analyzing, evaluating, and understanding information from multiple perspectives and making connections between them. Complex reasoning is a foundational critical thinking skill used in countless situations and circumstances. Understand and Actively Learn - Complex reasoning is a basis for understanding and actively learning from formal and informal education and life experiences. Questioning, thinking through, and thinking ahead are crucial in this process. Become an active learner by fearlessly asking questions about anything that doesn’t make sense. True critical thinking helps the user discover the world’s truth, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. Make Informed Decisions - Making and carrying out informed decisions is accomplished by thinking through, thinking ahead, and efficiently utilizing your lifetime knowledge, education, experience, common sense, reasoning, intuition, feelings, and confidence. Complex reasoning helps improve decisions by addressing multiple perspectives and factors. Become a more informed, rational, and self-reliant decision-maker by learning how to approach issues systematically. Solve Problems - Knowing how to identify, analyze, research, and solve problems confidently is incredibly powerful. Complex reasoning and decision-making throughout the problem-solving process are crucial. Create, Invent, and Discover – These are products of the human mind. Complex reasoning, understanding, active learning, decision-making, and problem-solving are instrumental in our accomplishments.
• We create incredible art, books, movies, plays, music, buildings, and structures. The list of things humans create, invent, and discover is stunningly impressive and likely endless. “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” ~ Napoleon Hill Using critical thinking effectively is foundational for increased self-awareness, self-confidence, and taking charge of one’s life. Communication skills improve with clarity of thought and purpose. Confidence as a critical thinker opens up new and enlightening world perspectives. Critical thinking is a skill. It is strengthened by anyone willing to expand their world by stretching and growing. The brain acts like a muscle. If used, it strengthens. If shunned, it withers.
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