Critical thinking is the capability and willingness to evaluate claims and reach objective conclusion and judgment by facts and supporting reasons and evidence in contrast to emotion and anecdote (OpenLearn. 2018). Critical thinkers can examine argument and note mistakes and oppose claims without support. Moreover, critical thinkers understand that criticizing an issue is not like criticizing an individual making it. It is worth noting that critical thinking is not jutted negative arguments or assertion. It also entails the capability to be creative and constructive. This involves the capability to develop an alternative argument for a scenario, think of the effects of research outcomes, and use new knowledge to social and individual challenges (OpenLearn. 2018). Critical thinking involves effective communication and problem-solving capabilities and more so dedication to conquer our background egocentrism and sociocentrism. The three major critical thinking approaches are skepticism, subjectivity, and curiosity.
Skepticism is the questioning habit or attitude or doubts towards a particular claim or belief. From the scientific approach, a skeptic individual is a person who questions assumption based on scientific knowledge. This means that such individuals can reject assumptions or claims not based on reliable observation and are not therefore verifiable empirically. Majority of scientist are skeptics, and often test the reliability of diverse claims by subjecting them to detailed research using different kinds of scientific techniques (OpenLearn. 2018). On the other hand, religious skepticisms are doubting specific religious assumptions or claims. In the contemporary world, religious skepticisms stress on the scientific and historical techniques or evidence with an aim of finding the truth instead general claim. Religious individuals are often skeptical about the claims of other religions in case of two conflicting claims. For instance, religious people are skeptical that Jesus was there and question the claims that he was the Messiah or that he performed miracles (OpenLearn. 2018). A skeptical individual does not accept dogma but questions the validity of the existing data and claims and the credibility of the source. A skeptical individual seeks autonomous verification of an assumption or claim.
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The next critical thinking approach is subjectivity. This involves having stood on a claim and not being swayed by the sentiments of a suggestion or concept. It involves detachment from the source and assessing the claims at hand without claims. As a critical thinking approach, subjectivity helps one develop ideas and opinions and clarify them to support his or her reasoning. Often, advanced writers use subjectivity in the form of creative writing to articulate what they believe comprise the age, their consciousness regarding what is essential, consequential and dogged (OpenLearn. 2018). Objective claims are stated facts that can be confirmed in the experience without views attached. In philosophy, objectivity generally involves what is mainly universal. Unlike the objective claims, subjective claims cannot be verified whether they are true or false using any accepted method. Subjective claims generally articulate opinions, partialities, values, position, and conclusions. Although such claims may contain some facts, they do not turn the claim factual, and therefore, not neither true or false. So subjective claims are in the external realm of what can be verified (OpenLearn. 2018). Regarding opinion, there are no generally recognized standards or techniques that can confirm one or another claim is completely true or false. Therefore, the fact that claim is subjective does not make it false.
Last but not least critical thinking approach is curiosity. This involves questioning the basis of the idea or claim at hand. One tries to find out how an individual developed a specific claim or concept. A critical thinker finds out the validity of the source of a claim or idea and examines the goal (Bronde, 2016). Therefore, critical thinker attempts to find out whether there is the reasonable interchangeable conclusion that a source can achieve, given similar information.
From all the critical thinking approaches, skepticism emerges as the approach. The reason behind this is that helps one to analyze, examine and strategize and ultimately find out the truth regarding a claim. It is a result of being an open-minded person. Skepticism helps one to be conscious of numerous issues, ideas and people, and more question what one hears and sees. A skeptical individual understands that there are numerous answers to a specific problem. Life is jam-packed of gray areas, and skepticism enables one to analyze those areas devoid of absolutes. From philosophical context, skepticism asserts that unequivocal facts are impossible. Numerous mysteries exist, and others will emerge since people will continue to examine and question them. For instance, scientific studies are unending due to new questions and theories frequently rising, requiring to be examined. It is important to note that new queries and theories would not emerge were it not for skeptics.
In conclusion, irrespective of the critical thinking approach used in examining a claim, it emerges as an essential decision-making tool. In the 21st C education, critical thinking is highly imperative. Critical thinking help in the development of cognitive and affective dispositions. This means that such individuals will be capable of handling and resolve problems effectively (Ben-Hur, 2014). Additionally, it enables students or people question the validity of the ideas and claims that they encounter, and even establish new and important ideas, share the ideas well, listen decisively to colleagues, and even become beneficially serious on arguments of other people.
References
Ben-Hur M., (2014). Critical Thinking: An Imperative for 21st Century Education. Retrieved on 16 April 2018 from http://www.p21.org/news-events/p21blog/1410-critical-thinking-an-imperative-for-21st-century-education
Bronde M. (2016). Science, Critical Thinking and Curiosity: The Trifecta for Our Children Future. Retrieved on 16 April 2018 from https://impakter.com/science-thinking-curiosity-trifecta-children-future/
OpenLearn. (2018). Approaches to Critical Thinking. Retrieved on 16 April 2018 from http://www.open.edu/openlearn/ocw/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=51387§ion=2
