CRITICAL THINKING
I. Definition:
Critical thinking can be defined as a method and attitude to analyses and interpret reality.
II. Characteristics of Critical thinking
1. It is based on rationality. We can interpret anything because it follows a sense common logic and reasons connected to what most people understand that is right.
(
RACIONALIDAD)2. It should always look for what is true, right, just, honest. It should be based on truth. It should report lies, ignorance or whatever against "what is true".
(
VERDAD, HONESTIDAD, RIGOR).3. It should promote human dignity on the based on individual freedom. Human
dignity might be defined as the ethical value consisting of developing as well as possible our abilities in such a way that we do the same with the rest of people. To do so, it is necessary, first, to be able to "stand in the place" of other people in order to understand them better; second, we should always behave as we wanted others to behave.
(
AFIANZAR LA DIGNIDAD Y LIBERTAD DE TODO SER HUMANO).4. We should be aware that TRUTH, REALITY, DIGNITY and most of the philosophical concepts, human values and ideals are not those type of fix and stable things, like material objects that we can keep in a box, on the contrary, they are dynamic and their changes depend on the way we perform. Their evolution depends on our coherence, our honesty, our interest, our attention, our behaviour, our emotions and
thinking.
(
CARÁCTER DINÁMICO / DIALÉCTICO)5. We should be suspicious of any idea, of any answer, of any theory that shows itself as unable to cause a diversity of interpretations (unidimensional). Rationality moves us to question what is commonly accepted. We should always try to find the reason or the cause why things are like they are or people say what they say. We should confront what we analyse with the best possible result. We should develop that kind of contradictory and healthy and hopeful scepticism that encourages us to look for what is true.
(
DESCONFIAR, CUESTIONAR LA BASE EN LA QUE SE SOSTIENE. DUDAR DE LO QUE PARECE CIERTO. REPLANTEAR EL MITO DE LA CAVERNA DE PLATÓN).6. We should be aware that anything connected with human actions is related to the historical and cultural circumstances where they were produced. So, up to a certain extent, we are “free” to transform reality, because our history and culture are consequences of our actions, depend on us.
(
CARÁCTER CULTURAL E HISTÓRICO, RESULTADO DE LA ACTIVIDAD HUMANA)7. Critical
thinking should be connected to developing a disciplined, humble and honest attitudes in order to be able to recognize the complexity and difficulty of any fact regarding human beings. We may say there is no easy solutions for serious problems.
(COMPLEJIDAD Y DIFICULTAD QUE ENCIERRA TODO RELACIONADO CON LAS PERSONAS).
8. Critical thinking should be linked with paying attention to unmasking:
8.1. Unmasking superstition and mythology.
8.2. Unmasking mistakes connected with prejudices and stereotypes.
8.3. Unmasking self-destructiveness and lack of hope.
8.4. Unmasking charlatanism, lies.
8.5. Unmasking slavery in human relations, ideas, attitudes and so on.
8.6. Unmasking alienation and idolatry or fetishism.
8.7. Unmasking laziness, selfishness, fears, fanaticism and other human vices.
8.8. Unmasking the weakness, inadequate, falseness and untruth of that thinking or speech based on the idea of believing that good feelings, purposes or intentions with spontaneous decisions should produce expected results.
8.9. Unmasking the misunderstandings which identify freedom with doing what we feel like at each moment (freedom deals with choosing between right or wrong, good or bad, according to our rationality, responsibility, knowledge and awareness of human universality link). Critical thinking should be based on coherent thinking and behaviour to promote hope, freedom and honest responsibility for human happiness and dignity. Critical thinking should be committed to promoting the coherent ethical values connected with dignity and freedom, like equality base on personal and socio-cultural differences. It also should be based on the respect for human rights.
(DESENMASCARAR LA SUPERSTICIÓN, LOS PREJUICIOS, LA AUTODESTRUCCIÓN Y FALTA DE ESPERANZA, EL CHARLATANERISMO Y LA MENTIRA, LA VOLUNTAD DE ESCLAVITUD, LA PEREZA, EGOÍSMO, MIEDOS, FANATISMO Y OTROS VICIOS). - Critical thinking should be based on coherent thinking and behaviour to promote hope, freedom and honest responsibility for human happiness and dignity. RESPONSABILIDAD CON LA DIGNIDAD Y FELICIDAD.
- Critical thinking should be committed to promoting the coherent ethical values connected to dignity and freedom, like equality based on personal and socio-cultural differences. It also should be based on the respect for human rights.
- DEFENSA DE VALORES ÉTICOS Y DERECHOS HUMANOS.
Here you have an interesting link to read more about KRITICAL THNKING:
http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/critical/ct.php
El pensamiento crítico está conectado con la propia condición humana y el valor que mejor la representa, la dignidad. La dignidad puede interpretarse como un valor ético que impulsa al ser humano a desarrollar lo mejor de sí mismo, sus capacidades tanto como sea posible, aprovechando la vida todo lo que esté en nuestra mano. Un hecho que conlleva promover nuestras capacidades es madurar de tal manera que nos permita desarrollar nuestra compasión y reconocer que sólo podemos dar lo mejor de nosotros mismos ayudando a los demás a hacer lo mismo, a desarrollar lo mejor de ellos mismos. El mejor método que conozco para promover nuestra dignidad es concentrarse en hacer cada cosa que hacemos lo mejor que sepamos.
Me gustaría preguntar a mis alumnos/as de Bachillerato: ¿Qué se debe hacer para ayudar a los demás a promover lo mejor de sí mismos?
