ELEMENTS OF CRITICAL THINKING
and reason.
These elements are necessary mental attitudes
and conceptual tools needed in order to
philosophize.
One goal of philosophizing/ philosophical
reflection is to arrive at the truth and avoid error
This discussion will relate philosophizing to critical
thinking since a philosopher is also a critical
thinker.
ELEMENTS OF CRITICAL THINKING:
Understanding
The first element is having a proper and clear
understanding of a particular situation.
To understand means “to have a mental grasp of
things, of reality, of issues at hand or of the subject
matter.”
Philosophy is concerned more with relevant
situations and understanding these relevant
matters will include three elements:
 Understanding the context
 Understanding the opposing views
 Understanding the whole range of issues
about a subject matter
Context- is understood as the framework, the frame of
reference, and the different connections and
relationships within which is to be understood and
interpreted. A context may be social, political, religious
or scientific. May it be an issue or subject, it
understood or interpreted according to its context. If
one doesn’t understand the framework at hand then
you cannot make a full understanding of such issues.
Next is, knowing the opposite views.
Remember that there are always at least two sides to
one and same coin. Meaning, there are always
opposing views on every subject matter/issue in any
discussion. To think critically, know the opposing views
and compare, analyze and respond correctly.
Lastly is understanding the whole subject matter such
as wide-ranging issues. One must have a
comprehensive understanding of the whole range of
ideas. A particular topic is also connected to other
topics, so it is important to have an understanding
about how these topics are interrelated.
Thinking by and for Oneself
This element is using one’s power and ability to
think or reason out.
One’s thinking is usually influences by others, but
as a person matures, he/she started to acquire
his/her own views and beliefs. So instead of simply
accepting the view of other people, they developed
the ability to examine a society’s belief system and
see for themselves whether they are proper, true,
adequate or not. This can change his/her beliefs or
validate these old beliefs using her own thinking
Thinking Proactively
Thinking proactively is using our own intelligence,
knowledge, and abilities in order to deal with
different situations and matters. To think proactively
means to commit oneself to the endeavors or tasks
at hand instead of giving up when difficulties arise
and taking responsibility for the consequences of
one’s actions and decisions.
Being Open Minded
Being open minded is being open to ideas and
opinions of others. There are good ideas that one
can learn from others. One should be open to new
vies, new interpretations and new concepts but this
doesn’t mean that one should outright accept it.
Philosophizing means that one welcomes new
ideas as another interpretation or a probable
source of new knowledge. Being open minded is a
proper mental attitude. Closing one’s mind to
something new, will hinder one’s intellectual
growth.
Considering Different Perspectives
This means being open to the different paths to the
truth is being open to new perspectives. It’s like
opening new windows through which one can see
new things or probably same thing but in a new
light or perspective. Opening one’s mind t these
possible view does not mean accepting them as
true and correct, it just means one is willing to
explore other possibilities.
Questioning and Challenging Beliefs
There are two types of questioning. First is
destructive questioning which means to contradict a
different view without any basis or reason. Second
is constructive reasoning which means to simply
ask for clarification, reconfirmation of an old
interpretation that has been accepted or believed
in. But a critical thinker, doesn’t stop at constructive
questioning. It is his/her duty to oppose it or to
challenge it as to its correctness, truth, value and
significance.
Few things
to
 Philosophical reflection and critical thinking can be
understood as an active, purposeful, clear,
organized, and self-initiated cognitive process.
 It will ultimately result to a proper understanding of
things and issues and conceiving and formulating
clear ideas and concepts
 Through philosophical reflection and critical thining,
people are able to make true and accurate
judgments and decisions and arrive at valid
arguments
 It allows people to do use sound reason and achieve
their goals and purposes
STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING:
1. Representing of Defining the Problem
The first step is to determine whether or not the
situation presents a problem. This involves
thorough understanding and comprehension of
the problem and its cause.
Understanding a problem depends on how it
But first, what is a problem?
A problem is a break, disruption, or distortion of
the normal flow of things or when desired
object or goal cannot be attained.
presents itself to you. Sometimes the cause of
the problem is just the attitude of the person. In
other words, the cause of the problem can be
objective or subjective.
2. Generating Possible Solutions
This involves divergent thinking. In divergent
thinking, one thinks of a possible solutions to
the problem. One can either recall past
solutions or made new ones then one’s mind
“diverges” along number of different paths.
There are various ways of generating solutions.
One is trial and error. One could try a solution
and if that doesn’t work other solutions can be
tried as well. Second is to come up with a list of
all possible solutions, starting from the easiest
ones to the more complicated.
3. Evaluating Solutions
The next stage in solving a problem is
evaluating solutions and coming up with the
final solution. This step uses convergent
thinking. One tries to apply his/her knowledge
and the rules of logic and attempts to narrow
don the possibilities to one that is most
appropriate o effective.
4. Applying the solutions
It is important to constantly assess the progress
of the application of the solution and be ready o
modify it.
5. Critiquing Given Solution Through Dialectics
Dialectics in this context is the critical
discussion about certain things; in problem-
solving it is applied to the solutions or
alternative ways of dealing with a problem. This
is done by way of dialectics or discussions of
the pros and cons of a particular topic, issues or
actions.
TRUTH AND THEORIES ON TRUTH
Truth is the proper aim of any inquiry, particularly
scientific and philosophical inquiry.
Philosophical theories about truth:
a) Realism
REALISM is a general theory about truth which
asserts that the mind can know certain,
fundamental and immediate truths. When one
judges an object, he/she is aware of his/her
intellectual capacity to know the truth. For the
realist, truth is the conformity of the mind with
the reality. Realism is opposed by skepticism
because the mental attitude of skepticism is
doubt.
b) Relativism Theory
According to relativism theory, truth as the
object of knowledge cannot be known as it is
isn itself, it can only be known as it is modified
by person. Meaning, in relativism theory, truth is
always dependent on a person. What is truth for
one may not be truth for others.
c) Pragmatism Theory
According to Pragmatism theory, which was
proposed by William James, the truth is
consequential in nature, the real norm or
criterion of truth is its consequence or result.
Meaning that if something is true, then we can
put it into practice or is useful in real life.
d) Correspondence Theory
According to correspondence theory proposed
by the logical positivist Bertrand Russel, truth is
in what is said, in the proposition uttered. It
states that something is true if it corresponds to
reality.
e) Coherence Theory
Proposes by which states that if something is
true if it makes sense when placed in a certain
situation or context.
SKEPTICISM states that the mind cannot attain the
truth because it is prone to error and therefore one
needs to suspend his/her belief. Skepticism is based
Doubt can be either positive or negative.
on doubt.
DOUBT is a state in which the mind suspends its
judgment or assertion on the truth of a certain
proposition or belief.
 Doubt is positive when the evidence for
and against a proposition is so equally
balances as to render decision
impossible.
 Doubt is negative if there is absence of
sufficient evidence on either side.
Doubt could also be either prudent or
imprudent,
 Prudent doubt is based on
reasonableness of the suspension of
assent.
 Imprudent doubt is based on
unreasonableness of the suspension
of assent
Assent means “belief or judgment”
Doubt could also be either theoretical or
practical
 Doubt is theoretical if it is concerned
with the subject matter of either reason
or faith.
 Doubt is practical if its concerned with
conduct.
OPINION is a statement about something without
sufficient basis or sufficient reason. It could be true
or false.
Stating an opinion is different from harboring doubt.
One expresses an opinion expresses judgment or
belief. One who doubts, suspends his/her belief.