The Critical Thinker


Critical thinking is the way of thinking in which we identify the statements supported by evidence. In other words, the argument accompanied by premises and conclusions.

When we do not think critically, then our thoughts are unstable, illogical, unconnected. There would not be sequence and fundament. Hardly there would be a congruent introduction or conclusion.

Can think of one time when we used to think in such way?

We were incoherent and illogical!

Our thinking and thoughts were shallow! Isn’t it?

Recent TV Sitcoms and soap operas are about this shallow way of thinking.

We have to be careful because a shallow thinking, thinking without a stable logical argument and without fundament is contagious! By some reason we get used to this way of thinking to the extent that we lose all our curiosity and our need for evidence.

Thus, as we studied in previous units, we can develop a critical way of thinking. The more we focus on acquiring the skill of identifying and evaluating the logic, argument and flow of thought of a writer or a speaker, the more our minds are trained in thinking critically. Once trained, when we read, we can understand, learn and embrace knowledge & wisdom to become true… critical thinkers.


Slide 2

The critical thinker is someone who:

•Investigates the evidence for and against different ideas, theories, presentations of ‘facts’ and so on

•Tests the evidence through cross-examination

•Considers alterative perspectives and explanations
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•Reaches an informed opinion in the light of evidence - gives reasoned arguments for the conclusion reached
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•Finishes a sentence saying ‘this is true because...’
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•Asks ‘Why am I being told this?’ ‘Who is telling me this? ‘What am I not being told?’ ‘Where’s the evidence to support this?’ ‘How much of this is rhetoric?’ ‘How else might you read the same data?’

Slide 3


The critical thinker is always:

• Persistent in constantly reviewing the evidence

• Skeptical and suspicious

• Looking ahead wondering what the implications are

• Stepping back from immediate personal feelings

• Examining data from different angles

• Checking the accuracy of information

• Checking the logic of the argument

• Looking for possible flaws in an argument

• Understanding why other people see it differently

• Checking statistics and other empirical data

• Checking undeclared assumptions

• Reaching informed conclusions


Slide 4

Should we Christians be critical thinkers? WHY?

Being a critical thinker can be challenging, messy and frustrating at times; nevertheless, to become one should be our aim as college students… and Christians!

When we become critical thinkers, then we are ready to perform our field of study in a professional way – starting by writing.

Thus, writing college papers is a good first step to become critical thinkers.










Last modified: Friday, August 14, 2020, 12:49 PM