Key Elements Of Critical Thinking - Article 2 Of 6

There are many elements to critical thinking. Here are some primary ones:

A Curious and Open Mind

A childlike fascination with the world and an open mind about it and the people in it is a powerful combination. Each experience provides one more piece of the amazingly complex puzzle of life. For every challenge undertaken, whether a win or a loss, a success or a failure; invaluable experience is gained. For the critical thinker, education doesn’t stop at high school, or college, or grad school, or even after working. Learning is a lifelong commitment.

Thinking through Issues

Lower order learning is by rote memorization, associated and drill. Critical thinking encourages digging deeper into issues and challenges. This is done by thinking through an objective. Here is one example of how the thinking through process works.

First, facts and data are gathered. Then, assumptions and risks are considered. Finally, an informed decision is made and appropriate action is taken to achieve a goal. This systematically process is known as a stream of logic. The more critical the challenge, the more thinking is required.

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to successfully climb Mount Everest and return alive. Hillary paid close attention to the smallest details. For example, he invested a full day checking oxygen cylinders and determining flow rates (gathering facts and data). He understood that carefully thinking through their objective could be the difference between life and death. Having enough oxygen to make the round trip would be essential (assumption) because it was critical for survival (risk).

Due to his understanding of the oxygen needs for the journey ahead and always observant, Hillary spotted half-empty oxygen bottles along the way. He decided to pick them up for later use.

After Hillary and Norgay reached the summit of Mt. Everest, they changed their almost empty oxygen bottles with the bottles they had picked up. This got them safely back to camp.1

Analyze Issues from Multiple View Points

Almost all issues can be looked at several ways. Different perspectives (also known as view points) help provide better solutions to issues. Common questions to ask yourself are:

• Are there other perspectives that I can view this challenge from?

• What are these other view points?

• How can I use these perspectives to resolve this challenge?

• Am I aware of the cause and effect of any decisions made, or actions taken?

Doing Needed Investigation

To make good decisions, good information is needed. The best way to get needed information is through investigation.

Intuitive and Non-Intuitive Thinking

Intuition is a feeling (a sense) that doesn’t use rational processes such as facts and data. Good intuition comes from years of knowledge and experience that allows you to understand how people and the world works. Many situations are intuitive. Some aren’t.

Non-intuitive things are some of the best opportunities to learn and grow. Book knowledge is important. However, with first hand experience you learn those areas that aren’t intuitive. Another term that is commonly used for non-intuitive thinking is learning the ropes. Mentors, coaches and teachers work closely with their students to help them learn the non-intuitive (and counter intuitive) knowledge of a subject.

Can Your Critical Thinking Skills be Improved?

The simple answer is yes. We are all different in many ways. Age, gender, IQ, genes, culture, beliefs, life experiences and education are just a few of the factors that make each of us unique.

One of our significant differences is that we all learn at different rates and in different ways. These in themselves aren’t important. What is important is the desire and willingness to learn and stretch past your comfort zone.

It can be scary to climb out of one’s box “comfort zone” and view the world with new eyes and ears. However, it can sure be exciting!

1 Nancy Gondo, One Man’s Ascent to Greatness—Focus helped Sir Edmund Hillary climb to the top of the world Investors Business Daily, June 12, 2003, p.A4.

Chuck Clayton’s primary education and professional experience is in mechanical engineering and business problem solving. He has over thirty years experience in these areas.

Chuck has an insatiable curiosity of the world and how things work. This has guided him to learn effective ways of making decisions, solving problems and free up time!
Chuck is the Author of the long awaited book:

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense!
A Guide to the Lost Art of Critical Thinking.

For more information please see:

www.chuckclayton.com

If you would like more detailed information on this subject, please see http://www.chuckclayton.com for my book: The Re-Discovery of Common Sense which will be released in September of this year!

Tags: Common Sense, Critrical Thinking, Decison Making, Problem Solving, Thomas Paine

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