Critical Thinking Module #1

[Gregg Caplitz]

My score on the Test was 26/30

[Gregg Caplitz]

What is critical thinking?
• Why is it important?
• Name someone famous you believe is a critical thinker.
• Why do you think they are a critical thinker?
• Thoughtfully respond to two other posts from fellow participants. In your reply, address if their definition of critical thinking is similar
to yours. Why or why not?

[Gregg Caplitz]

1. Critical analysis is the process of applying analysis to solving of problems. It involves using analytical abilities to reach reasoned solutions to problems as opposed to making intuitive emotionally driven ones.
2. Critical analysis is important because it adds rational decision making to problem solving and attempts to remove rash and emotional decisions from the analysis
3. Antonin Scalia former Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
4. Justice Scalia was a noted Constitutionalist in his approach to the law. His decisions are considered both by supporters and opponents to be rationale well thought arguments based on a close reading of the United States Constitution. He was not an expansionist such As Chief Justice Warren who see decisions often created rights not specifically enunciated in the Constitution

[gdidona]

Hi Gregg, Nice post! I am curious to hear more about what you may see as the difference (if any) between a rash decision and a decision that needs to be made quickly. Unfortunately, we all know that time is not always a luxury we have when needing to reach a decision.

Your choice of Justice Scalia is an interesting one. I agree that his reputation is one of being a brilliant jurist, but I wonder if operating within a conceptual framework of a strict interpretation of the Constitution could potentially create biases or limit the processing of information or data outside of that focused conceptual framework. (I am fairly confident that he and Justice Ginsburg - who were really good friends - had many such debates.)

[paulwickson]

Thanks for this post Gregg. You've touch on an interesting theme in your summary of critical thinking 'intuitive emotionally driven ones'. We would obviously like to apply some conscious reasoning to our decisions but, as Gary has mentioned above the concept of time (or lack of!) to make judgements, can have an impact. I wonder what your thoughts are on applying a framework of critical thinking which can be flexed to different time constraints?

[Gregg Caplitz]

Thank you both for your fascinating responses. I do feel there is a difference between a rash decision and a quick one. I feel the clearest differences is that certain decisions have a limited time. If you still go through your decision tree the choice involves critical thinking. Alternatively if you have time and yet do not apply a decision making process then you are making rash decesions. It is more the process than the time which equates to critical thinking in my opinion