Preparing For Discussion On The Importance Of Critique ✓ Solved

Preparein Preparation For Discussing The Importance Of Critical Think

Prepare: In preparation for discussing the importance of critical thinking skills, please read Chapters 1 through 3 of Think Smarter: Critical Thinking to Improve Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills , as well as the following articles: “ Critical Thinking and the Challenges of Internet ,†“ Common Misconceptions of Critical Thinking .†Critical thinking gets you involved in a dialogue with the ideas you read from others in this class. To be a critical thinker, you need to be able to summarize, analyze, hypothesize, and evaluate the new information that you encounter. Write: For this discussion Define, describe, and explain the principles of critical thinking. Search the Internet, media, or the Ashford University Library, and find an example of good, careful (critical) thinking, and explain why you think it exemplifies strong critical thinking skills.

Post a link or reference information for that source, describe the content, and explain how it is a good example of critical thinking. Search the Internet, media, or the Ashford University Library and find an example that lacks good, careful (critical thinking). Post a link or reference information for that source, describe the content, and explain why you think it demonstrates poor critical thinking skills. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Importance of Critical Thinking Skills: An Analytical Perspective

Critical thinking is a fundamental skill that enables individuals to analyze information objectively, evaluate evidence thoroughly, and make well-informed decisions. It involves several core principles, including clarity, accuracy, relevance, depth, breadth, and logical consistency. These principles act as guidelines for assessing the validity of information, questioning assumptions, and avoiding biases. Critical thinkers actively engage in questioning the validity and reliability of the sources of information, thus fostering a mindset of skepticism coupled with curiosity. According to Lipman (2003), critical thinking entails reflective skepticism—questioning everything while remaining open to new evidence—precisely to improve reasoning and decision-making.

One exemplary case of strong critical thinking is the investigative journalism by Dana Priest regarding government surveillance programs, published in The Washington Post (Priest & Engleman, 2013). In this case, the journalist meticulously evaluated classified documents, verifying sources, and cross-referencing information to uncover the extent of covert surveillance activities. The article exemplifies critical thinking because it involves careful analysis of complex, sensitive data, an assessment of ethical implications, and an unbiased presentation of facts to inform public discourse.

Conversely, an example of poor critical thinking is evident in the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines on social media platforms, such as unsubstantiated claims about alleged harmful effects without scientific backing (CDC, 2021). Such content often lacks proper evaluation of evidence, relies on anecdotal stories instead of scientific consensus, and neglects peer-reviewed data. These behaviors exemplify failure to apply critical principles, thus contributing to misinformation and public mistrust. Critical thinking requires vigilance in discerning credible sources from unreliable ones and resisting the temptation to accept sensational claims without scrutiny.

In summary, critical thinking is vital for making informed decisions, fostering ethical awareness, and promoting a rational approach to complex problems. By examining exemplary cases of investigative journalism and analyzing the deficiencies in misinformation, individuals can better understand how to develop and apply critical thinking skills effectively.

References

• CDC. (2021). Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines misinformation.html
• Lipman, M. (2003). Thinking in Education. Cambridge University Press.
• Priest, D., & Engleman, R. (2013). The NSA’s Secret Role in the US Surveillance State. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com