Critical Thinking and Its Processes

1) Critical thinking is an extensive subject that can be defined in a mixture of meaningful ways. To illustrate what the subject is all about in the most essential way; it is simply a cognitive activity associated with using the mind. However, it is much more complex than that. It is a process or otherwise a procedure that calls for the ability to recognize many traits associated with the subject. I will analyze and discuss five steps of these processes in my own words to illustrate my understanding on this subject.

Critical thinking as a process includes:

- identifying other people's positions, arguments, and conclusion

my understanding on this process is that it is the ability to doubt constructively by being able to recognize viewpoints from the opposition. It is part of the critical analysis of other people's reasoning. We analyze, evaluate and draw our own cognitive feelings towards the judgment of other people. It requires a level of skill to grasp this process and apply it into our criteria of "critical thinking". For example, by simply listening and expanding on another person's argument with a show of interest is a positive response towards this practice.

- evaluating the evidence for alternative points of view

the evidence that supports the validity or truthfulness of the information is thought about in this process. How relevant and valid is the evidence, and are there any alternative points of view that need to be considered? I believe that this is associated with skepticism and trust. Our ability to reflect skeptically will always let us remain doubtful or unconvinced until we really are. We evaluate and consider carefully before we finalize an evaluation or decision.