Standards of Critical thinking
Depth
definition
A statement can be clear, accurate, precise, and relevant, but superficial (that is, lack depth)
Example
"Just say No!" which is often used to discourage children and
teens from using drugs, is clear, accurate, precise, and relevant.
Nevertheless, it lacks depth because it treats an extremely
complex issue, the pervasive problem of drug use among
young people, superficially. It fails to deal with the complexities
of the issue.
Clarity
Definition
If you read the statement without asking yourself
Could you elaborate further on that point?
Could you express that point in another way?
Could you give me an illustration? Could you give me an example?
Example
“The website is now fully
operational with the ecommerce
functionality all set up.”
better way to express it is
The company has launched its website.
Logic
Definition
When the combination of thoughts are mutually
supporting and make sense in combination, the
thinking is "logical."
Examples
It is dangerous to drive when it is snowing. It is
snowing now. Logic tells you that it would be
dangerous to drive right now
Every three year old you see at the park every
afternoon spends most of their time crying and
screaming. Your conclusion is that all three year olds
spend their afternoon screaming.
A well cultivated
critical thinker
thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems
of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need
be, their assumptions, implications, and
practical consequences
gathers and assesses relevant information, using
abstract ideas to interpret it effectively comes to
well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them
against relevant criteria and standards
communicates effectively with
others in figuring out solutions
to complex problems
raises vital questions and
problems, formulating them
clearly and precisely