what is the importance of logical reasoning in critical thinking

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> Critical Reasoning and the Art of Argumentation
> What is critical reasoning?

what is the importance of logical reasoning in critical thinking

Book contents

Frontmatter
CHAPTER 1 What is critical reasoning?
CHAPTER 2 Obstacles to clear thinking: Preconceived ideas and fallacies
CHAPTER 3 Working with arguments
CHAPTER 4 How to analyse arguments
CHAPTER 5 Definitions, counterexamples and counterarguments
CHAPTER 6 Evaluating arguments
CHAPTER 7 Applying your knowledge and skills to the evaluation of arguments
CHAPTER 8 Constructing arguments and writing argumentative essays

CHAPTER 1 - What is critical reasoning?

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 February 2020

What is the use of philosophy, if all it does is enable you to talk … about some abstruse questions of logic, etc., and if it does not improve your thinking about the important questions of everyday life?

E very day we are bombarded with arguments, arguments that are often based on fallacious reasoning with the aim of manipulating our thinking and behaviour. We encounter these arguments in our reading, on the radio, on television, via the internet and, of course, in advertisements.

However, the ever-increasing complexity of information technology, the perplexity of human interactions, the diversity of societies in South Africa and globally, and the demands of the workplace require people who can think critically and who can make informed decisions.

It is important to critically examine the way in which we judge, evaluate and act, because the decisions we make may have an important influence not only on defining, experiencing and presenting ourselves, but also on the way we perceive and influence other people, shape the world and touch the lives of others.

The aim of this chapter is to explain what critical reasoning is and to explore some basic critical reasoning competencies. We will unpack these critical reasoning competencies to emphasise the importance of critical self-reflection in our quest for clear thinking. We will begin to understand how societal values, preconceived ideas and cultural attitudes cloud our perceptions and attitudes and stand in the way of clear thinking.

Introduction to critical reasoning

Critical reasoning is not a new field of study – it is as old as philosophy itself. The history of the quest for wisdom and critical self-reflection goes back as far as the ancient Ifa (Yoruba) oral philosophy associated with Orunmila (c 4000 BC), the prophet of the Ifa religion and father of African philosophy; the pre-Socratic philosophers such as Thales (c 625–545 BC), Anaximander (c 610–547 BC), Pythagoras (c 578–510) and Heraclitus (c 540–480 BC); the ancient Indian philosophers such as Mahavira (born 599 BC) and Buddha (born 563 BC); the ancient Chinese philosophers such as Lao Tzu (c 600 BC) and Confucius (556–479 BC); and the Greek philosophers such as Socrates (470–399 BC), Plato (427–347 BC) and Aristotle (384–322 BC).

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What is critical reasoning?
M. E. S. Van den Bergh
Book: Critical Reasoning and the Art of Argumentation
Online publication: 20 February 2020
Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.25159/858-0.001

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What Is Critical Thinking? | Meaning & Examples

White text over gray background reads "What is critical thinking?"

Critical thinking is the process of analyzing information logically and overcoming assumptions, biases, and logical fallacies. Developing critical thinking skills allows us to evaluate information as objectively as possible and reach well-founded conclusions.

Critical thinking example

Thinking critically is a crucial part of academic success, professional development, civic engagement, and personal decision-making.

What is critical thinking, why is critical thinking important, critical thinking strategies.

Critical thinking is the process of evaluating information and arguments in a disciplined and systematic way. It involves questioning assumptions, assessing evidence, and using logical reasoning to form well-reasoned judgments.

Key critical thinking skills:

Avoiding unfounded assumptions
Identifying and countering biases
Recognizing and refuting logical fallacies

These practices enable us to make informed decisions, analyze evidence objectively, consider multiple perspectives, reflect on our own biases, and seek reliable sources.

Critical thinking is enhanced by the deliberate study of biases, logical fallacies, and the different forms of reasoning:

Deductive reasoning: Drawing specific conclusions from general premises
Inductive reasoning: Generalizing from specific observations
Analogical reasoning: Drawing parallels between similar situations
Abductive reasoning: Inferring the most likely explanation from incomplete evidence

When assessing sources, critical thinking requires evaluating several factors:

Credibility: Check the author’s qualifications and the publication’s reputation.
Evidence: Verify that the information is supported by data and references.
Bias: Identify any potential biases or conflicts of interest.
Currency: Ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant.
Purpose: Understand the motivation behind the source and whether it aims to inform, persuade, or sell.

Critical thinking is crucial to decision-making and problem-solving in many domains of life. Social media disinformation and irresponsible uses of AI make it more important than ever to be able to distinguish between credible information and misleading or false content.

Developing critical thinking skills is an essential part of fostering independent thinking, allowing us to:

Make informed decisions
Solve complex problems
Evaluate the logic of arguments

In the process of developing these skills, we become less susceptible to biases, fallacies, and propaganda.

Examples of critical thinking

Critical thinking is an essential part of consuming any form of media, including news, marketing, entertainment, and social media. Media platforms are commonly used to promote biased or manipulative messages, often in a subtle way.

Critical thinking in media example

A news segment claims eating chocolate daily improves cognitive function. After reading more about the research, you find the study had a small sample size and was funded by a chocolate company, indicating bias. This leads you to conclude the claim is unreliable.

Critical thinking is fundamental in logic, math, law, science, and other academic and professional domains. The scientific method is a quintessential example of systematized critical thinking.

Critical thinking in science example

Formulate a hypothesis.
Design experiments.
Analyze data.
Draw conclusions.
Revise the hypothesis if necessary.

Academic research requires advanced critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking academic example

Evaluating the methodology of each study to determine their reliability and validity
Checking for potential biases, such as funding sources or conflicts of interest
Comparing the sample sizes and demographics of the studies to understand the context of their findings
Synthesizing the results, highlighting common trends and discrepancies, and considering the limitations of each study

Critical thinking enhances informed decision-making by equipping us to recognize biases, identify logical fallacies, evaluate evidence, consider alternative perspectives, and learn to identify credible sources.

Key strategies: