And why should I care?

The term goes back to the American philosopher John Dewey (1910) and his book How We Think (p. 82). He defined critical thinking as:

“active, persistent and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it, and the further conclusions to which it tends. … it is a conscious and voluntary effort to establish belief upon a firm basis of reasons.” (p. 6)

It is interesting to note that Dewey usually referred to critical thinking as “reflective thinking.” This phrase reminds us that critical thinking is not negative thinking. Rather, critical thinking is about developing good “mental habits” (p. 13) by learning to evaluate the logic behind your conclusions. According to Dewey, this process is not easy because it involves:

• “overcoming the inertia that inclines one to accept suggestions at their face value”
• “willingness to endure a condition of mental unrest and disturbance”
• suspending judgement “during further inquiry.”

If all of this reminds you of difficult detective work, you are on the right track. Dewey points out that “the origin of thinking is some perplexity, confusion, or doubt. Thinking is not a case of spontaneous combustion…there is something specific which occasions and evokes it.” (p. 12) Critical thinking is most helpful when you are faced with a problem, or you need to make an argument.

It is helpful also to consider what Dewey describes as “uncritical thinking.” When a person appeals to emotion, intuition, or “common sense,” you can see the opposite of critical thinking. For this reason, Dewey defines “uncritical thinking” as the “minimum of reflection.” (p. 12)