Dr Nick Hutcheon SWAP East Co-ordinator Critical thinking Dr Nick Hutcheon SWAP East Co-ordinator

What is critical thinking? How would you define critical thinking? “Active, persistent, and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds which support it and the further conclusions to which it tends” (Dewey). What matters are the reasons we have for believing something and the implications of our beliefs. “Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do” (Ennis). The important role of decision making in critical thinking. Source: http://assets.cambridge.org/052100/9847/sample/0521009847ws.pdf

Why is critical thinking important? To get good marks! To get 70+: “A sharply-focused answer of high intellectual quality, which adopts a comprehensive approach to the question and maintains a sophisticated level of analysis throughout. It should show a willingness to engage critically with the literature and move beyond it, using the sources creatively to arrive at its own independent conclusions”. To get 40-50: “A passable answer which understands the question, displays some academic learning and refers to relevant literature. The answer should be intelligible and in general factually accurate, but may well have deficiencies such as restricted use of sources or academic argument, over-reliance on lecture notes, poor expression, and irrelevancies to the question asked. The general impression may be of a rather poor effort, with weaknesses in conception or execution. It might also be the right mark for a short answer that at least referred to the main points of the issue”.  Source: http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/undergrad/current_students/teaching_and_learning/assessment_and_regulations/marking_descriptors

Assumption. Something that is taken for granted. Something that is accepted as true or as certain to happen without proof.

Reasons Conclusions Decisions Implications

Characteristics of a critical thinker. They are honest with themselves. They resist manipulation. They overcome confusion. They ask questions. They base judgments on evidence. They look for connections between subjects. They are intellectually independent. Source: http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/studyskills/essentials/reading/critical_thinking.html

William James, Philosopher (1842-1910). “A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.” William James, Philosopher (1842-1910).

Descriptive writing. The setting of the research. A general description of a piece of literature or art. A list of measurements taken. The timing of the research. An account of the biographical details of a key figure in the discipline. A brief summary of the history leading up to an event or decision. Source: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/writing/writing-resources/critical-writing

Critical writing. Clear and confident refusal to accept the conclusions of other writers without evaluating the arguments and evidence that they provide. Balanced presentation of reasons why the conclusions of other writers may be accepted or may need to be treated with caution. Clear presentation of your own evidence and argument, leading to your conclusion. Recognition of the limitations in your own evidence, argument, and conclusion. Source: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/writing/writing-resources/critical-writing

Model for critical thinking. To begin with, describe the text. Who wrote it? When was it written? What are the main ideas or arguments presented? Then, analyse the text. How has the author reached their conclusions? What method has been used and was the method appropriate? Why does the author think what they think? Is relevant and reliable evidence used to support any arguments, ideas or conclusions presented? Does the data presented support the conclusions made? Finally, evaluate the text. How relevant is this text to your purpose? What do you think about what you have read? What is your position on the subject? How does this relate to other information you have read or heard- does it contradict, support, challenge other evidence? Source: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/info/488/critical_thinking/348/critical_thinking/2

Describe Analyse Evaluate

Critical thinking in practice. Describe. Analyse. Evaluate. “Three-quarters of people who applied for new benefits for the long-term sick failed tests to prove they were too ill to work. Out of about 840,000 who tried to obtain the £95-a-week Employment and Support Allowance, 640,000 were told they were fit for work, or withdrew their applications before they took the tests – suggesting they were ‘trying it on’. Incredibly, 7,100 tried to claim because they had sexually transmitted diseases and nearly 10,000 because they were too fat. Only 178,000 – one in four – were given the payment after convincing doctors they were actually unable to work. The disclosure by the Department for Work and Pensions raises fresh questions over how many of the 2.6million people on the existing incapacity benefit are really incapable of being employed.” Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1324035/75-incapacity-claimants-fit-work-Benefits-test-weeds-workshy.html

John Dewey, Philosopher (1859-1952). “The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning.” John Dewey, Philosopher (1859-1952).

Dr Nick Hutcheon SWAP East Co-ordinator Critical thinking Dr Nick Hutcheon SWAP East Co-ordinator