Critical Thinking

Perhaps the most important aspect of graduate culture is the application of critical thinking. Critical thinking is defined in a variety of ways throughout the last century. A couple of noteworthy definitions include:

… the examination and test of propositions of any kind which are offered for acceptance, in order to find out whether they correspond to reality or not. The critical [thinker] is a product of education and training. It is a mental habit and power. It is a prime condition of human welfare that men and women should be trained in it. It is our only guarantee against delusion, deception, superstition, and misapprehension of ourselves and our earthly circumstances. (Sumner, 1906, n.p.)

… that mode of thinking-about any subject, content, or problem-in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism. (Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2004)

As these definitions suggest, critical thinking is about thinking clearly and rationally, synthesizing a position or argument based upon evidence and thoughtful discernment. A good critical thinker identifies inconsistency or flaws in logic; a good critical thinker asks questions and identifies multiple solutions; and a good critical thinker is willing to step outside of personal belief or circumstance to consider alternative perspectives.

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