Name : Arabela Refo Widhiarti

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Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Definition of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or what
to believe. Critical thinking is a kind of higher order thinking skill in which individuals
demonstrate their ability to scientifically and thoughtfully evaluate things from different
points of view in different contexts to make effective final decisions. This ability requires
people to have various skills such as questioning, evaluation, and decision making.
Conceptions differ with respect to the scope of such thinking, the type of goal, the criteria
and norms for thinking carefully, and the thinking components on which they focus. Its
adoption as an educational goal has been recommended on the basis of respect for
students’ autonomy and preparing students for success in life and for democratic
citizenship.

Definiton of Critical Thinking according to experts

• According to John Dewey (1909) critical thinking is reflective thinking, which is an

active, continuous, and capable consideration of a belief or form of knowledge that
is acceptable by looking at it from a perspective that supports a further thought that
becomes his belief.
• According to Gambril & Gibbs (2009: 4) critical thinking includes clarity, accuracy,
relevance, and completeness. Improving critical thinking requires the ability to
evaluate evidence, consider alternative points of view, and think fairly in conveying
different opinions appropriately.
• According to Gorman (1974: 222), one way to improve critical thinking skills is by
making a critical question and considering logical ones, questions made by students
to measure critical thinking skills.

Summarry
An understanding of all the respective schools of thought makes the concept very complex.
However, The relevance of critical thinking Critical thinking is very relevant in our everyday
lives as humans because It gives us the ability to reflect skeptically. Within the context of
critical thinking, skepticism gives us the ability to apply doubts in certain situations. It does
not mean we doubt everything we hear and see. Critical thinking helps us to make better
and informed decisions whether something is likely to be true, effective or productive.
Critical thinking gives an intellectual mind that is autonomous, independent and free, rather
than just sticking to or being drilled by what people say. Critical thinking skills help us to
solve practical and theoretical problems that we encounter in our daily lives, by seeking the
right solutions.
source link :
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-thinking/#DeweThreMainExam