PRINCIPLES OF CRITICAL THINKING
Don’t mistake ignorance for perspective. Gather complete information. One of the most important and most violated principles of critical thinking is thoroughness—that is, gathering all available facts on a subject under scrutiny. Obviously thinking requires facts; erroneous conclusions often stem from inadequate factual knowledge.
Principles of Critical Thinking:
1.
Gather complete
information.
2.
Understand and define
all terms.
3.
Question the methods by
which the facts are derived.
4.
Question the
conclusions.
5.
Look for hidden
assumptions and biases.
6.
Question the source of
facts.
7.
Don’t expect all
of the answers.
8.
Examine the big picture.
9.
Examine multiple cause
and effect.
10. Watch for thought stoppers.
11. Understand your own biases and values.
Edited from Larry Larson, Professor of Biology, Ohio University. Handout from class, 1994. Original source: “Journal of Biological Education (1990).