An Introduction to Critical Thinking
The act of thinking is perhaps the most frequently performed action common to all human beings. The conscience mind is engaged in nearly continuous thought. However, the average thought process of an individual is flawed, filled with prejudice, selfish and self-centered motives. It is human nature to look out for our own interests rather than acting in the best interests of all. People commonly exaggerate the facts and validate what most interests them. There is not a single one of us who is capable of acting objectively and rationally in all situations (Kurland 2000).
Dictionary.com defines critical thinking as, “the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion”. The act of thinking critically is a mental process that is somewhat unnatural for the human mind. However, a better understanding of critical thinking, the critical thinking process and of the many mental challenges associated with this process help an individual make appropriate, logical, open-minded and non bias decisions concerning issues both great and small.
Because the human thought process is inherently flawed critical thinking does not come naturally. In fact the ability to incorporate and successfully utilize the critical thinking process comes only with practice and careful attention to our existing patterns of thought. There are a number of necessary skills relevant to the critical thinking process that can be incorporated into our normal thought process only through practice and a higher level of self-awareness (Schafersman 1991).
First and foremost, critical thinking relies on reason and logic rather than emotion and ...