Critical thinking...a moral imperative
Jacqueline Strayer
Global Brand and PR C-Suite and Social Impact Leader, Consultant, Speaker,Professor, Arts and Culture Enthusiast, Creator 90-Second You?& Global Brand Convergence?
As we reflect on the events of the past weeks, the protests and demonstrations, the resulting conversations that are being had, in towns and cities, in the classroom and the boardroom, with family and friends, among black, brown and white people, across generations, the issues of racism and our societal flaws have become swiftly exposed.
One of the opportunities and essentials in front of us is to reflect on how we think about what we do, respond to the circumstances we face and reconsider the decisions we make. This requires us to revisit (or in some cases explore for the first time) the essentials of critical thinking.
How often do we examine how we think? Think about our biases, whether conscious or unconscious? Review the evidence that supports our decisions? Look at the accuracy of what we are thinking about doing? Reflect on the preciseness of our thinking or the assumptions we may have? Or even at the start, articulating clearly (even in our own minds) what are we trying to solve for? These are some of the essentials of critical thinking.
While there are differing opinions of what critical thinking is (Korn, 2014), this one is especially provocative,
“Thinking about your thinking, while you’re thinking, in order to improve your thinking.” Linda Elder, educational psychologist; president,Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Employers have long called out that students coming off of the college campuses are ill prepared when it come to critical thinking skills. (Belkin, Douglas, 2017) Even applying this more specifically, in a quantitative research study I conducted when I started teaching at the graduate level, critical thinking was the #1 skill that was identified as most important for long term success in the public relations practice. (Strayer, Jacqueline, 2016)
But when was the last time you actually engaged in critical thinking? Or were offered training on how to do it? And like emotional intelligence, critical thinking is one of those skills each of us can get better at.
The examination of our thinking, including importantly our decisions, whether they are in the boardroom or the family room, are vital for us to have productive and meaningful conversations about race, equality and making necessary swift progress. Being aware of our biases, assumptions and our interpretations of information is vital.
So, what must we do? We must embrace critical thinking, at every level. This means the teaching of critical thinking has to start in elementary school, so children examine what they think and how they see the world and make judgments about others and decisions in life. It must be taught in higher education as we prepare students for their careers and becoming the future leaders across the globe. And it must be taught in business, government, education and the non-profit world so that the decisions that are being made in those organizations are made with the highest level of thinking. And finally, and most importantly, it must be exhibited, taught and reinforced in the home, so we model the way and raise our children to examine their thoughts and ideas, confront bias and assumptions and give them freedom to become their very best selves. This is our moral imperative.
References
Belkin, Douglas (2017) “Exclusive test data: Many colleges fail to improve critical-thinking skills.” Wall Street Journal.
Korn, Melissa. (2014) “Bosses seek Critical thinking, but what is that?” Wall Street Journal.
Strayer, Jacqueline (2016) “Three skills that PR pros need and how mentors can help”. PR News.
Public Relations and Communications Consultant and Contractor
4 年One thought I had was the importance of the liberal arts--a key factor in that education is critical thinking. So much education today is more like skills training in a specific discipline and as important as it is, doesn't replace the need for critical thinking, e.g. discussing all aspects of an issues, or action, even done in the form of fictionalized characters. Great piece.
Global Brand and PR C-Suite and Social Impact Leader, Consultant, Speaker,Professor, Arts and Culture Enthusiast, Creator 90-Second You?& Global Brand Convergence?
4 年Thanks Fred for sharing.?
Spot on, Jacqueline. Here's another, that I have quoted in two of my books. The Catholic theologian and economist Michael Novak, in The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism, wrote: "The first of all moral obligations is to think clearly."
Chief Joy Advocate, VR Wellness Warrior, Empowering Personal and Organizational Growth through Immersive Learning and AI-Enhanced Experiences
4 年If add to that we need to also be critical listeners. To often we seek evidence to support our thinking without appropriate filters. Well done.
Writer, Teacher, Creative Director, Advertising Consultant, Videographer
4 年Critical thinking is indeed, in critical condition. Learning “how to think” should be the very first priority across all disciplines. As you point out, without it, our decisions are suspect at best. But is critical thinking becoming relegated as mainly a soft skill in a world that increasingly desires to imbibe in only the hard stuff? I’m afraid so. True, critical thinking does not produce data, but it helps you to choose the data to pursue and how to interpret it once you have it. If we’re not careful, one of the very things that separates us from aardvarks, will atrophy. We’ll know how to add like champs, but will interpret the sums like chimps.