Course ID: GOVT1000

15.02.2012 Dear Sash, What a gwaan? Hope you are doing fine. I am sorry I havent written you in a while but you done know how the college thing set up. Anyways do you know this thing called Critical Thinking? Well according to Elder it can be defined as self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in a fair-minded way. Scriven and Paul say that Critical Thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. Both these definitions go on to mean the same thing which is Critical Thinking is the disciplined analysis and/ or evaluation of information gathered. When I first got the assignment I thought what the hell! After I began to do it though I realized it was not as bad as I thought. In fact in doing the assignment it also helped me to better understand the concept of Critical Thinking. Critical Thinking is an important part of the academic process because it develops rationality which means we raise vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely, open-mindedness we think open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought and judgment in readers (Kurland). It develops rationality in that when we think critically we often rely on reason rather than on emotions. We also require evidence and become concerned more with finding explanations rather than being right (Richard Paul). Critical Thinking also helps to create open-mindedness in this we are able to evaluate all

reasonable inferences, as well as to remain open to alternative interpretations. As it relates to judgment Critical Thinking helps us to recognize the relevance and/or merit of alternative assumptions and perspectives (Richard Paul). Critical thinking enables us to recognize a wide range of subjective analyses of otherwise objective data, and to evaluate how well each analysis might meet our needs. Facts may be facts, but how we interpret them may vary (Kurland). Critical thinkers do not take an egotistical view of the world. They are open to new ideas and perspectives. They are also willing to challenge their beliefs and investigate competing evidence (Michael Scriven). So now you see the importance of Critical Thinking.

Works Cited
Kurland, Daniel J. "What is Critical Thinking?" 2000. Dan Kurland's www.criticalreading.com. 10 February 2012 <http://www.criticalreading.com>. Linda Elder, Glaser E, Paul R and Scriven M. "Defining Critical Thinking." 2011. Foundation for Critical Thinking. 10 February 2012 <http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/define_critical_thinking.cfm>. Michael Scriven, Paul R. "Critical Thinking as Defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking." 1987. Defining Critical Thinking. 10 February 2012 <http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/define_critical_thinking.cfm>. Richard Paul, Elder L. "The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools, Foundation for Critical Thinking Press." 2008. Defining Critical Thinking. 10 February 2012 <http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/define_critical_thinking.cfm>.