Beyond Feelings - Vincent Ruggiero [6]
Where do one's values originate? Within the individual or outside? In thought or in feeling?
Does education change a person's values? If so, is this change always for the better?
Should parents and teachers attempt to shape children's values?
CHARACTERISTICS OF CRITICAL THINKERS
There are a number of misconceptions about critical thinking. One is that being able to support beliefs with reasons makes one a critical thinker. Virtually everyone has reasons, however pathetic they may be. The test of critical thinking is whether the reasons are good and sufficient.
Another misconception is that critical thinkers never imitate others in thought or action. If that were the case, then every pigheaded person would be a critical thinker. Critical thinking means making wise decisions, regardless of how common those decisions are.
A third misconception is that critical thinking is synonymous with having a lot of right answers in one's head. There's nothing wrong with having right answers, of course. But critical thinking is the process of finding answers when they are not so readily available.
Yet another misconception is that critical thinking cannot be learned, that one either "has it" or does not. One the contrary, critical thinking is a matter of habit. The most careless, sloppy thinker can become a critical thinker by developing the characteristics of a critical thinker.
We have already noted one characteristic of critical thinkers – skill in asking appropriate questions. Another is control of their mental activities. American philosopher John Dewey once observed that more of our time than most of us care to admit is spent "trifling with mental pictures, random recollections, pleasant but unfounded hopes, flitting, half-developed impressions."3 Good thinkers are no exception. However, they have learned better than poor thinkers how to stop that casual, semiconscious drift of images when they wish and how to fix their minds on one specific matter, examine it carefully, and form a judgment about it. They have learned, in other words, how to take charge of their thoughts, to use their minds actively as well as passively.
Here are some additional characteristics of critical thinkers, as contrasted with those of uncritical thinkers:
Critical Thinkers
Uncritical Thinkers
Are honest with themselves, acknowledging what they don't know, recognizing their limitations, and being watchful of their own errors.
Pretend they know more than they do, ignore their limitations, and assume their views are error-free.
Regard problems and controversial issues as exciting challenges.
Regard problems and controversial issues as nuisances or threats to their ego.
Strive for understanding, keep curiosity alive, remain patient with complexity and ready to invest time to overcome confusion.
Are impatient with complexity and thus would rather remain confused than make the effort to understand.
Set aside personal preferences and base judgments on evidence, deferring judgment whenever evidence is insufficient. They revise judgments when new evidence reveal error.
Base judgments on first impressions and gut reactions. They are unconcerned about the amount or quality of evidence and cling to earlier views steadfastly.
are interested in other people's ideas, so are willing to read and listen attentively, even when they tend to disagree with the other person.
Are preoccupied with self and their own opinions, and so are unwilling to pay attention to other's views. At the first sign of disagreement they tend to think, "How can I refute this?"
Recognize that extreme views (whether conservative or liberal) are seldom correct, so they avoid them, practice fair-mindedness, and seek a balanced view.
Ignore the need for balance and give preference to views that support their established views.
Practice restraint, controlling their feelings rather than being controlled by them, and thinking before acting.
Tend to follow their feelings and act impulsively.
As the desirable qualities