by Albert Major

Critical and Scientific Thinking

(Vlerick, M. (2022). Critical and scientific thinking.) - Chapter 2

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking:

• is rational thinking
• aims to generate justified beliefs (beliefs that we may assume to be true) by systematically analyzing the way in which beliefs have been formed.
• means that we assess the reliability of our beliefs by reflecting on how these beliefs were formed
• is also autonomous thinking

In short, critical thinking consists in forming beliefs in a rational (not intuitive and / or emotional) and autonomous way (not relying on tradition and/or authority).

What is critical thinking not?

Critical thinking:

• is not ‘negative’ thinking. It does not aim to undermine every claim.
• does not mean that we question everything permanently
• does not necessarily lead to skepticism: the position in which one suspends all beliefs by ‘knowing that one does not know’
• is not intelligent or creative thinking (Sometimes intelligent thinking leads to very uncritical beliefs - think for example of ingenious conspiracy theories)
• cannot simply be identified with well-informed thinking (even with good information we can still come to unjustified beliefs)