The art of critical thinking – Strategies for developing critical thinking

This article is a continuation of the article titled ‘The art of critical thinking – An introduction’.

These ideas represent just a few of the many ways in which disciplined thinkers actively apply theory of mind - to the mind - by the mind, in order to think better. In these examples, we focus on the significance of thinking clearly, sticking to the point (thinking with relevance), questioning deeply, and striving to be more reasonable. For each example, we provide a brief overview of the idea and its importance in thinking, along with strategies for applying it in life. It is important that you understand these as a sampling of all the possible ways in which the mind can work to discipline itself to think at a higher level of quality and function better in the world.

Clarify Your Thinking

Our own thinking usually seems clear to us, even when it is not. But vague, ambiguous, muddled, deceptive, or misleading thinking are significant problems in human life. If we are to develop as thinkers, we must learn the art of clarifying thinking, of pinning it down, spelling it out, and giving it a specific meaning.

Strategies for clarifying thinking:

• State one point at a time
• Elaborate on what you mean
• Give examples that connect your thoughts to life experiences
• Use analogies and metaphors to help people connect your ideas to a variety of things they already understand (for example, critical thinking is like an onion. There are many layers to it. Just when you think you have it basically figured out, you realize there is another layer, and then another, and another and on and on)

Here is One Format You Can Use:

I think . . . (state your main point)
In other words . . . (elaborate your main point)
For example . . . (give an example of your main point)
To give you an analogy . . . (give an illustration of your main point)

To Clarify Other People’s Thinking, consider asking the following:

Can you restate your point in other words? I didn’t understand you.
Can you give an example?
Let me tell you what I understand you to be saying. Did I understand you correctly?

Stick to the Point

When thinking is relevant, it is focused on the main task at hand. It selects what is germane, pertinent, and related. It is on the alert for everything that connects to the issue. It sets aside what is immaterial, inappropriate, extraneous, and beside the point. What is relevant directly bears upon (helps solve) the problem you are trying to solve. When thinking drifts away from what is relevant, it needs to be brought back to what truly makes a difference. Undisciplined thinking is often guided by associations (this reminds me of that, that reminds me of this other thing) rather than what is logically connected (“If a and b are true, then c must also be true”).

Ask these questions to make sure thinking is focused on what is relevant:

Am I focused on the main problem or task?
How is this connected? How is that?
Does my information directly relate to the problem or task?
Where do I need to focus my attention?
Are we being diverted to unrelated matters?
Am I failing to consider relevant viewpoints?
How is your point relevant to the issue we are addressing?
What facts are actually going to help us answer the question? What considerations should be set aside?
Does this truly bear on the question? How does it connect?

Question Questions

Most people are not skilled questioners. Most accept the world as it is presented to them. And when they do question, their questions are often superficial or “loaded.” Their questions do not help them solve their problems or make better decisions. Good thinkers routinely ask questions in order to understand and effectively deal with the world around them. They question the status quo. They know that things are often different from the way they are presented. Their questions penetrate images, masks, fronts, and propaganda. Their questions make real problems explicit and discipline their thinking through those problems. If you become a student of questions, you can learn to ask powerful questions that lead to a deeper and more fulfilling life. Your questions become more basic, essential, and deep.

Strategies for formulating more powerful questions:

• Whenever you don’t understand something, ask a question of clarification.
• Whenever you are dealing with a complex problem, formulate the question you are trying to answer in several different ways (being as precise as you can) until you hit upon the way that best addresses the problem.
• Whenever you plan to discuss an important issue or problem, write out in advance the most significant questions you think need to be addressed in the discussion. Be ready to change the main question, but once made clear, help those in the discussion stick to the question, making sure the dialogue builds toward an answer that makes sense.

Be Reasonable

Be on the lookout for reasonable and unreasonable behaviors — yours and others. Notice when you are unwilling to listen to the views of others, when you simply see yourself as right and others as wrong. Ask yourself at those moments whether their views might have any merit. See if you can break through your defensiveness to hear what they are saying. Notice unreasonableness in others. Identify times when people use language that makes them appear reasonable, though their behaviour proves them to be otherwise. Try to figure out why you, or others, are being unreasonable. Might you have a vested interested in not being open-minded? Might they?

One of the hallmarks of a critical thinker is the disposition to change one’s mind when given good reason to change. Good thinkers want to change their thinking when they discover better thinking. They can be moved by reason. Yet, comparatively few people are reasonable. Few are willing to change their minds once set. Few are willing to suspend their beliefs to fully hear the views of those with which they disagree. How would you rate yourself?

Realize That You are Being Close-Minded If You:

a. are unwilling to listen to someone’s reasons
b. are irritated by the reasons people give you
c. become defensive during a discussion

After you catch yourself being close-minded, analyze what was going on in your mind by completing these statements:

a. I realize I was being close-minded in this situation because . .
b. The thinking I was trying to hold onto is . . .
c. Thinking that is potentially better is . . .
d. This thinking is better because . . .

Source: Sandbox Advisors; The Critical Thinking Community