“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”
Voltaire
Notable Quotes
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
Aristotle
“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.”
Richard Feynman
According to mystudyfocus
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. Critical thinkers rigorously question ideas and assumptions rather than accepting them at face value. They will always seek to determine whether the ideas, arguments and findings represent the entire picture and are open to finding that they do not. Critical thinkers will identify, analyze and solve problems systematically rather than by intuition or instinct.
Key Points
Someone with critical thinking skills can:
Understand the links between ideas.
Determine the importance and relevance of arguments and ideas.
Recognize, build and appraise arguments.
Identify inconsistencies and errors in reasoning.
Approach problems in a consistent and systematic way.
Reflect on the justification of their assumptions, beliefs and values.
Specifically we need to be able to:
Think about a topic or issue in an objective and critical way.
Identify the different arguments there are in relation to a particular issue.
Evaluate a point of view to determine how strong or valid it is.
Recognize any weaknesses or negative points that there are in the evidence or argument.
Notice what implications there might be behind a statement or argument.
Provide structured reasoning and support for an argument that we wish to make.
Additional Questions to Ask Yourself
What facts are used?
Are the sources of facts listed and credible?
What is the use of opinion in the material presented?
How does that opinion affect the presented facts?
How can the facts be verified?
What is the author's point of view?
How does their bias influence the presentation?
What additional questions would you ask the author to formulate a solid opinion about what they presented?
How do you see the information differently now that you have thought about it critically?
(Read more at: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/critical-thinking.html)
Additional Reading
Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking by M. Neil Browne, Stuart M. Keeley
Point of Reflection
“To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.”
John Ruskin