CONCEPTS: Key Concepts Used in Critical Thinking
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Concepts are the principles, theories and definitions we use in thinking. If we cannot clearly identify and explain the concepts we utilze, it is likely our thinking around that concept will be unclear. You may have noticed a key concept in this website is our use of critical thinking terms to organize and present information. This page contains a simple overview of the key concepts in understanding and improving your thinking.
To analyze your thinking... First understand and look at the basic Parts (or Elements) of Thought
To Assess, judge or evalutate these parts, use basic and universal Intellectual Standards
While we continually learn and grown, we aspire to develop positive Intellectual Traits
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Learn About The Elements and Standards
The concepts on this page are found in...
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Elements of Thought
in no specific order
The elements of thought are those essential dimensions that are present whenever we think — regardless of whether we are thinking well or poorly. Together, these elements shape our thinking. They are presupposed in every subject, discipline, and domain of human thought.
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Intellectual Standards
a short list of the most common
- Clarity
- Accuracy
- Precision
- Relevance
- Depth
- Breadth
- Logic
- Significance
- Fairness
A fundamental of critical thinking is the ability to assess our reasoning. To be skilled at this requires us to consistently "take apart" our thinking and examine the parts with respect to intellectual standards of quality.
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- Intellectual Humility
- Intellectual Autonomy
- Intellectual Integrity
- Intellectual Courage
- Intellectual Perseverance
- Intellectual Empathy
- Fairmindedness
- Confidence in Reason
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Critical thinking does not entail merely intellectual skills. It is a way of orienting oneself in the world and approaching problems that differs significantly from that which is typical in human life. People may have critical thinking skills and abilities, and yet still be unable to enter viewpoints with which they disagree, analyze beliefs that guide their behavior, distinguish between what they know and don’t know, persevere through difficult problems, think fairmindedly, or stand alone against the crowd. Thus, in developing as a thinker, and fostering critical thinking abilities in others, it is important to develop intellectual traits or virtues.
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