Abstract
This paper will define the meaning of critical thinking. I will provide an example of a personal experience when critical thinking had to be used. This paper will also exam the benefits and importance of using critical thinking during the decision-making process. The references used for this paper are from assigned eRsource readings and weekly reading assignments.
What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is an essential tool to good decision-making. Everyone has biases or prejudices which can hinder good decision making. Critical thinking varies depending on the underlying motivation. When decisions are based on selfish intentions; they are often marked by manipulation of ideas to service one's own interest. To be an effective critical thinker one has to have the ability to look at the facts and make a decision based solely on the facts. Critical thinking is a tool to be used in every aspect of ones life. Critical thinking can help us to become better thinkers, better people, and can help us to make better decisions.
Defining Critical Thinking
Before one can truly define critical thinking one has to look at thinking in general. According to dictionary.com thinking is, "to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decision, etc." In order for thinking to be useful to others it has to be communicated in some form. Thinking can take on many forms, to include; communicating our thoughts through language, images, art, scientific formulas or mathematics (Kirby and Goodpaster, 2007). Unexpressed thinking is important as well because it allows one the opportunity to think before speaking or acting (Kirby and Goodpaster, 2007). Critical thinking starts with that thinking process, whether it is som ...