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Your assignment is to prepare and submit a paper on critical thinking: definitions and descriptions revisited

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Your assignment is to prepare and submit a paper on critical thinking: definitions and descriptions revisited. With his approach to reflective thinking, John Dewey is amongst those first thinkers who laid the basis for a definition of critical thinking in the lives of human beings. It is important to note that subsequent definitions although added technically measurable parameters to the concept and definition of critical thinking, John Dewey’s definition dealt with it qualitatively. He clearly mentions that reflective is nothing but, "Active, persistent and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in light of the grounds that support it, and the further conclusions to which it tends." (John Dewey, 9).

This qualitative approach towards defining reflective thinking holds good for critical thinking in only a certain perspective. Critical thinking is the art of recognizing loopholes in the thought process of the person not just on the grounds of popular belief or supportive thinking prevalent around him/her, but also in the absence of such thought support. Critical thinking, however, uses the rationale, logic, and reasonability of thoughts as perceived by a man by observing his friends and family. The concept of right and wrong is, therefore, limited by the definition that the thinker gives to it. His reflections, according to Dewey, will be to set his urges and thoughts in line with his beliefs. Critical thinking is more about rectifying one’s beliefs based on his understanding of what is good and what is detrimental to his personality. Thus, John Dewey’s definition fails to provide a complete definition of the process of critical thinking and only succeeds in laying the basis of its actual definition and role.

The second definition of critical thinking that comes to the mind is that of Robert H. Ennis. In his series of publications about critical thinking Robert Ennis has brought out numerical descriptions of a person’s critical thinking abilities. We must not forget that although the most important fact of his derivation indicates towards how to go about using critical thinking in the important decision-making aspects of one’s life, especially when he has to take a stand basing on evidence and reasons that is present insufficiency.