 Subject

English Composition and Comprehension

 Topic
Critical Thinking
 Submitted to
Ma’am Faiza Sattar
 Submitted by
Ali Asfand, Farwa, Shayan, Suleman
 Group name
03
 Critical thinking
What is thinking?
The process of considering or reasoning about something

Or
The action of using mind to produce thoughts.

These thoughts could be anything like,

“Why is the sky blue?”

“Is this time to travel possible?”

As you start asking questions and seek answers, In fact you are thinking.

Types of thinking
There are many types of thinking, usually we all think according to the situation.

For example, if we get good marks in final exams we think that our future will be bright. On the other
hand, if we get less marks or we fail then we think what will be do with me? How I can survive in next
reading stage etc.

Basically there are two types of thinking.

1-Critical thinking

2-Creative thinking

What is Critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or what to believe.

Critical thinking mean thinking independently.

Or
Critical thinking means making reasoned judgments. Judgments should be logical and well-thought.

Basically critical thinking is a way of thinking in which you don’t simply accept all argument and
conclusions. In fact you have an attitude involving questioning such arguments and conclusions.

Benefits of Critical Thinking

 Critical thinkers make better decisions.

 Critical thinking is a key to career success.

 Critical thinking ensures your opinions are well-informed.

 Critical thinking improves thinking power.

 Critical thinking makes you a better, more informed citizen.

 Critical thinker gets the ability to identify and to focus on the relevant aspects of an issue.
 Critical thinking helps the students in academic matters to learn, evaluate and understand the
subject matters in a more judicious way.

Definitions of principle.
Principle is a basic rule or a criteria that explains how something works or how we get efficient
rules.

Principles of Critical Thinking

 Gather complete information.

 Understand and defines all terms.

 Questions his method by which facts and figure are derived.

 Question the conclusion.

 Look for hidden assumptions and biases.

 Question the source of fact.

 Don’t expect the all answers.

 Watch for thought stoppers.

 Understand your own biases and values.

Barriers to Critical Thinking

1. Social brainwashing and our view of the world
An individual develops his understanding of the world from his own surroundings and from
his society. There he comes under the influence of many factors like his parents, teachers, friends,
as well as print and electronic media which are not always unbiased. Such influences prevent free
thinking.

2-Tendencies to think in binaries

The common human tendency is to judge everything in binaries, like good or bad, just or
unjust etc. Doing this often leads to bad theories.

3-Fears regarding free thinking

The fear of voicing a new opinion stems from the fear of making mistakes or of making a
fool of oneself. This results in following the path of others in spite of the realization that this is
wrong. Many of our societies as well as our traditional educational system discourage free
thinking. To overcome this critic needs self-will to express what he thinks is right.

4-Personal interests and personal experiences

We often tend to judge and evaluate ideas and situation based on our social and
emotional commitment, individual, interest and past experiences. This prevents rational, objective
and critical analysis of issues
 5-Pride and egocentrism (self-centered thinking)
Many people consider themselves as the greatest and the most powerful of all the others.
They are egocentric and they consider themselves as the center of the universe. Such people
stick to their own perspective and fail to appreciate alternate ways of looking at things.

6-Sociocentrism or ethnocentrism (group/society/cultural-centered

thinking)
Following the thought patterns common to a group, society or culture as well as thinking
in favor of a particular groups or community without judging its credibility is a barrier to critical
thinking.

7-Fear of changing or an unwillingness to change

Some people are afraid or unwilling to change their views which makes them reluctant to
conduct critical thinking.

8-Bias and prejudice

Personal prejudices as well as biases create problems in thinking objectively and
critically.

9-Narrow-mindedness or close-mindedness
We need an open and liberal state of mind ready to receive new ideas and to admit
positive criticism to follow critical thinking.

10-Wishful thinking
Tendency to think and believe what one wishes as true discourage a person from thinking
critically.

11-Poor reading and comprehension skills, poor or dysfunctional

communication skills
• Lack of proper reading, inability to understand as well as poor communication skills have an
adverse effect on critical thinking.