Critical Thinking and Decision Making Paper examining the relationship between critical thinking and decision making

Essay by lqqkerUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, October 2003

download word file, 5 pages 4.6

Abstract

In order to more thoroughly understand the components of critical thinking, decision making, and their value to the processes of evaluating arguments and probabilities, critical thinking must combined into the process problem solving and decision making as a guide to developing beliefs and taking action.

In the corporate environment critical decisions must be made, sometimes quickly. The decision-making process is crucial to high-quality management in today's work environment. It is solving problems and making correct decisions that is valued.

This paper will examine the relationship between critical thinking and the decision making process, explain what the textbook authors believes.

What is Critical Thinking?

Some define critical thinking as the ability to control of one's thinking. It includes the ability to analyze the premises of one's reasoning, or that of another. It also involves the structured examination of sources of information. However, there is no definitive definition of critical thinking.

What is decision making?

Decision-making is concerned not only with the outcome value but also with the amount of risk each decision carries. The concept of probability occupies an important place in the decision-making process, whether the problem is one faced in business or just in one's everyday personal life. Decision-makers often face a severe lack of information. Most decisions are made in the face of uncertainty. Probability enters into the process by playing the role of a substitute for complete knowledge. Probability assessment quantifies the information gap between what is known, and what needs to be known for optimal decision-making.

How do the materials for this course define critical thinking?

The text defines critical thinking as a system of questions that is consistent with the spirit of curiosity, wonder, and intellectual adventure essential to critical thinking. Critical questions provide a structure for critical thinking that supports a...