Spectral Lines Of Various Elements Of Critical Thinking
Elements of Critical Thinking
Definition of Critical Thinking
Elements of Critical Thinking
- Identification of premises and conclusions. Critical thinkers break arguments into basic statements and draw logical implications.
- Clarification of arguments: Critical thinkers locate ambiguity and vagueness in arguments and propositions.
- Establishment of facts: Critical thinkers determine if the premises are reasonable and identify information that has been omitted or not collected. They determine if the implications are logical and search for potentially contradictory data.
- Evaluation of Logic: Critical thinkers determine if the premises support the conclusion. In deductive arguments, the conclusions must be true if the premises are true. In inductive arguments, the conclusions are likely if the premises are true.
- Final evaluation: Critical thinkers weigh the evidence and arguments. Supporting data, logic and evidence increase the weight of an argument. Contradictions and lack of evidence decrease the weight of an argument. Critical thinkers do not accept propositions if they think there is more evidence against them or if the argument is unclear, omits significant information, or has false premises or poor logic.
Standard: Clarity
understandable, the meaning can be grasped
Standard: Accuracy
free from errors or distortions, true
Standard: Precision
exact to the necessary level of detail
Standard: Relevance
relating to the matter at hand
Standard: Depth
containing complexities and multiple interrelationships
Standard: Breadth
encompassing multiple viewpoints
Standard: Logic
the parts make sense together, no contradictions
Standard: Significance
focusing on the important, not trivial
Standard: Fairness
Justifiable, not self-serving or one-sided
More Standards:
There are numerous other standards that may be applied to elements on a contextual basis. Here are just a few:
Completeness, Validity, Rationality, Sufficiency, Necessity, Feasabilty, Consistency, Authenticity, Effectiveness, Efficiency
Can you identify others standards relevant to your situation?
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Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or downright prejudiced. If we want to think well, we must understand at least the rudiments of thought, the most basic structures out of which all thinking is made. We must learn how to take thinking apart.
All Thinking Is Defined by the Eight Elements That Make It Up. Eight basic structures are present in all thinking: Whenever we think, we think for a purpose within a point of view based on assumptions leading to implications and consequences. We use concepts, ideas and theories to interpret data, facts, and experiences in order to answer questions, solve problems, and resolve issues.
Thinking, then:- generates purposes
- raises questions
- uses information
- utilizes concepts
- makes inferences
- makes assumptions
- generates implications
- embodies a point of view

Element: Purpose All reasoning has a PURPOSE.

Element: Question All reasoning is an attempt to figure something out, to settle some QUESTION, to solve some problem.

Element: Information All reasoning is based on DATA, INFORMATION and EVIDENCE.

Element: Interpretation and Inference All reasoning contains INFERENCES or INTERPRETATIONS by which we draw CONCLUSIONS and give meaning to data.

Element: Concepts All reasoning is expressed through, and shaped by, CONCEPTS and IDEAS.

Element: Assumptions
All reasoning is based on ASSUMPTIONS.

Element: Implications All reasoning leads somewhere or has IMPLICATIONS and CONSEQUENCES.

Element: Point Of View All reasoning is done from some POINT OF VIEW.
Key Concept:
Think About... Purpose
Your purpose is your goal, your objective,what you are trying to accomplish. We also use the term to include functions, motives, and intentions.
You should be clear about your purpose, and your purpose should be justifiable.
Questions which target purpose
State the Question
The question lays out the problem or issue andguides our thinking. When the question is vague, our thinking will lack clarity and distinctness.
The question should be clear and precise enough to productively guide our thinking.
Questions which target the question
Gather... Information
Information includes the facts, data, evidence, or experiences we use to figure things out. It does not necessarily imply accuracy or correctness.The information you use should be accurate and relevant to the question or issue you are addressing.
Questions which target information
Watch Your... Inferences
Inferences are interpretations or conclusions you come to. Inferring is what the mind does in figuring something out.Inferences should logically follow from the evidence. Infer no more or less than what is implied in the situation.
Questions to check your inferences
Clarify Your... Concepts
Concepts are ideas, theories, laws, principles, or hypotheses we use in thinking to make sense of things.Be clear about the concepts you are using and use them justifiably.
Questions you can ask about concepts
Check Your... Assumptions
Assumptions are beliefs you take for granted. They usually operate at the subconscious or unconscious level of thought.
Make sure that you are clear about your assumptions and they are justified by sound evidence.
Questions you can ask about assumptions
Think Through the...
Implications and Consequences
Implications are inherent in your thoughts, whether you see them or not. The best thinkers think through the logical implications in a situation before acting.
Questions you can ask about implications
Understand Your...
Point of View
view something. It includes what you are looking at and the way you are seeing it.
Make sure you understand the limitations of your point of view and that you fully consider other relevant viewpoints.
Questions to check your point of view
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