Critical Thinking

Running head: CRITICAL THINKING

Critical Thinking

Sanjeet K. Singh

University of Phoenix

Critical Thinking and Strategic Decision Making

Mgt/350

Becky Shokraii

May 08, 2008

Critical Thinking

What is critical thinking exactly? According to CriticalThinking.Org, critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. An easier to understand definition would be that critical thinking is that mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the natural process of thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them. Furthermore, CriticalThinking.Org also states that in the exemplary form critical thinking, critical thinking is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.

Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines

English: There are no symbols that represent skept...

Thinking

(Scriven & Richard, 2008, p. 1)

Critical thinking is thinking that analyzes thought, that assesses thought, and that transforms thought for the better (Paul, 2007, p. 1). Without the proper use of critical thinking skills, sound decisions may not be made by those in authority which would ultimately end in chaos. Every person must think but without the proper knowledge of how to use his or her thoughts, partial information, or incorrect information his or her thoughts would become biased. Certain situations in life or the way that an individual was raised (cultural or religious differences) would influence the quality of the decision that an individual is bound to make. When a person uses bad critical thinking skills in the decision making process, he or she could cost he or herself as well those...