Critical thinking involves actively examining issues from multiple perspectives, comparing one's own experiences and conclusions to other evidence and sources, and maintaining an open and skeptical approach. Critical thinkers tolerate ambiguity, identify biases, separate facts from opinions, examine evidence before drawing conclusions, accept change when evidence contradicts beliefs, and appreciate diverse views.

1. Critical Thinking
Worth Weller

2. A definition…
• Critical
thinking is
about
discovering
and applying
meaning
• to what you
see,
• hear,
• and read.

3. How it’s done…
Critical thinking involves,
among other things,
 actively looking at an issue,
 examining what you have
already experienced about
the issue,
 and comparing and
contrasting that to what
other authentic sources
have researched and said
about this issue.

4. Characteristics of critical
thinkers…
• Critical
thinkers
are flexible
– they can
tolerate
ambiguity
and
uncertainty

5. Characteristics of critical
thinkers…
• Critical
thinkers
identify
inherent
biases and
assumptions

6. Characteristics of critical
thinkers…
• Critical
thinkers
maintain an
air of
skepticism

7. Characteristics of critical
thinkers…
• Critical thinkers separate facts from opinions

8. Characteristics of critical
thinkers…
• Critical
thinkers
don’t
oversimplify

9. Characteristics of critical
thinkers…
• Critical
thinkers
examine
available
evidence
before
drawing
conclusions

10. Characteristics of Critical
Thinkers…
• They accept change
• They remain open to the need
for adjustment and adaptation
throughout the inquiry cycle
• They are willing to examine
even their most deeply held
values and beliefs, and to
modify these beliefs when
evidence and experience
contradict them.

11. Characteristics of Critical
Thinkers…
• They empathize.
• They appreciate
and try to
understand others'
thoughts, feelings,
and behaviors.

12. Characteristics of Critical
Thinkers…
• They welcome
divergent views.
• Critical thinkers value
examining issues
from every angle.
• They know that it is
especially important
to explore and
understand positions
with which they
disagree.