Title: Chapter 17. Analyzing Community Problems and Solutions | Section 2. Thinking Critically | Main Section | Community Tool Box
Headings: Section 2. Thinking Critically
Section 2. Thinking Critically
What is critical thinking?
Why is critical thinking important?
Who can (and should) learn to think critically?
How do you help people learn to think critically?
What is critical thinking?
Elements of critical thinking
Goals of critical thinking
Why is critical thinking important?
Who can (and should) learn to think critically?
How do you help people learn to think critically?
How to be a critical thinking facilitator
How to encourage the critical stance
Facilitating problem solving using critical thinking
In Summary
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Content: In health, human service, and community work, the main goal of thinking critically is almost always to settle on an action that will have some desired effect. Critical examination of the situation and the available information could lead to anything from further study to organizing a strike, but it should lead to something. Once you've applied critical thinking to an issue, so that you understand what's likely to work, you have to take action to change the situation. Why is critical thinking important? Without thinking critically, you're only looking at the surface of things. When you come across a politician's statement in the media, do you accept it at face value? Do you accept some people's statements and not others'? The chances are you exercise at least some judgment, based on what you know about the particular person, and whether you generally agree with her or not. Knowing whether or not you agree with someone is not necessarily the same as critical thinking, however. Your reaction may be based on emotion ("I hate that guy!"),