Techgue | Critical thinking is a thinking process that involves rational thinking and carrying out a series of objective stages to measure or assess something. In the process, critical thinking always requires not relying independently on one's own thoughts or a number of untested ideas. This article will explain more broadly about critical thinking specifically for you.
Understanding Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is basically an objective analysis and evaluation of a problem to form a measurable assessment structure. Critical thinking was born as a concept for investigating thoughts or knowledge about something and its intellectual roots have developed since 2500 years ago.
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Socrates considered that it was impossible for a person to independently rely on the knowledge he possessed. Therefore it is very important to ask deep questions and dig deep into a thought before accepting it as an idea to believe.
Components of critical thinking
In mapping logical and feasible solutions and answers, we need navigation to get to that goal. Through a number of systematic assessment structures, the following components of critical thinking include:
- Observing
- Feelings
- Wondering
- Imagining
- Inferring
- Knowledge
- Consulting
- Identifying
- Analyzing
- Judging
- Deciding.
Characteristics of People Who Are Capable of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is more than just a collection of facts or accumulated knowledge, it is a method of approaching whatever we currently know. Where the approach always uses a number of methodologies to test and achieve employee performance and feasible criteria for an idea.
1. Use logic and evidence to solve problems
To solve a problem we need an adequate set of knowledge to solve the problem. But the body of knowledge we have is not necessarily appropriate or appropriate as a basis for solving all problems before being tested logically.
2. Able to evaluate ideas and information critically
When evaluating information, you must look at it thoroughly and analyze the information. The process of evaluating this information is a form of analytical thinking to analyze how well this information functions independently and together.
The next step is to identify evidence that forms beliefs, the aim is to assess whether the source is credible or not. Apart from that, this method is also used to identify thought biases and avoid them.
3. Have the ability to make rational decisions
Making rational decisions must also take into account several sources of information at hand. You must also consider information logically and see whether the source is relevant to the problem.
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To carry out rational thinking and not immediately make a decision based on the information you have, there must be several scenarios to organize this information into valid data.
4. Can see a problem from various points of view
The ability to see all the elements that support the emergence of a problem is a form of critical thinking process. In the process, highlighting all sides of a problem is the best way to determine the information needed to create a solution.
5. Not easily influenced by inaccurate or irrelevant information
Carrying out critical thinking means not immediately drawing conclusions from the information sources presented. Aware of thinking errors that may occur, critical thinkers avoid arguments that take sides.
Benefits of Critical Thinking
As critical thinkers they will be able to formulate problems clearly and precisely. Where this will teach them to collect, assess, develop and make reasonable conclusions and solutions. Then test it against relevant standards and be open to alternatives that might assess existing assumptions.
- Improve the ability to think critically and creatively: This is training oneself independently to investigate and question the surrounding environment. Whether it's about a question, idea, or even finding a problem.
- Increase your ability to solve problems and make the right decisions: So, you will be trained and understand what to do to solve a problem and make the right decision.
- Improve your ability to evaluate information critically: From here you can learn to evaluate the information you get. Observation is the process of observing. So, after you have finished observing the results you can use it as evaluation material.
- Improve your ability to communicate effectively: So, one of the benefits you will get is improving your good communication skills. So when you are often involved in the critical thinking process your communication skills also increase.
How to Practice Critical Thinking
The way to practice critical thinking is to get involved in the process so that the more often you are involved your abilities will also develop. Here's how to train it.
1. Sharpen analysis and evaluation skills
Analysis and evaluation skills are the ability to analyze information or data, then evaluate or judge critically to produce accurate and logical conclusions. Critical thinking is a process that helps a person develop analysis and evaluation skills.
By questioning the surrounding environment, identifying strong and weak arguments, and evaluating available evidence. Practicing critical thinking starts from finding problems and finding the right solution to that problem. Practice providing solutions through analysis and evaluation
2. Improve logical thinking skills
Practicing critical thinking also improves the ability to think logically. The ability to draw conclusions or make decisions based on rational and systematic reasoning will be trained. Look at everything objectively and it is not easy to conclude something before it is tested.
3. Practice problem solving
Practicing problem solving is a process in which a person identifies and resolves a problem or challenge faced. Critical thinking is very important because it can help someone identify the root of a problem, consider various possible solutions, and choose the best solution that is supported by valid data and information.
4. Practice evaluating information critically
Critically evaluating information is the ability to examine and understand the information obtained. This process involves the ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of arguments, assess the credibility of information sources, and make informed decisions based on facts and tested evidence.
5. Deepen knowledge and insight
Deepening knowledge and insight by thinking critically is a way to broaden understanding and improve the quality of the information we receive, by testing, evaluating and questioning everything we hear or read.