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<\/a>rational, reasonable thinking must surely provide a much needed environment in which unity of thought can be encouraged.<\/p>\nEven for those of us who operate at a higher than average academic level (we are, after all, studying toward doctoral degrees) critical thinking requires discipline, effort, intentionality, purposefulness, discernment, time, and energy.\u00a0 While some may have honed this skill to a greater degree than others, it is still not something that occurs by chance.\u00a0 A \u2018pocket guide\u2019 (or in some cases a very brief kindle text) of Critical Thinking-Concepts and Tools<\/u>, is just the ticket for those who desire to seek continual refinement of this skill.\u00a0 It represents the consistent development of the ability to utilize skillful judgement to ascertain truth or merit and corresponding effort to diminish the effects of prejudice, biases or distorted thinking.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n Most people have a natural tendency to view things from their unique point of view which frequently privileges their position at the expense of those who think differently.\u00a0 In utilizing this short text an effort can be made to eliminate that tendency, promoting a considered and balanced approach, thus fostering more universally applied standards that do not inherently favor one perspective over another.<\/p>\n The assumption in all of this is, of course, the weakness of this text.\u00a0 Critical Thinking as a discipline is purported to be the epitome of development of an Enlightenment based, rationalist perspective, as though it were genuinely possible to approach any subject unhampered by myopic, biased or insular thinking. \u00a0While the effort to attain distortion-free thinking is admirable, the quest is ultimately impossible, as even our reading of a text about Critical Thinking cannot be accomplished without filtering through one\u2019s own perspective.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n There is ultimately no possibility of applying any universal intellectual standard that provides some assumed inherent quality assurance.[3]<\/a>\u00a0 In the end, it must be recognized that; \u201c\u2026critical thinking This does not mean Critical Thinking is completely without merit, but this criticism is intended to be cautionary, warning against assuming that simply applying one of the provided templates is sufficient to ensure unbiased and universally applicable thought.\u00a0 Strength can be found in utilizing several of the key concepts in particular situations. The ability to analyze logic, evaluate reasoning, work at problem solving, and assess research can bring significant benefit if one remains conscious of the limitations.\u00a0 For those of us pursuing a terminal degree this text may have come just in the nick of time.\u00a0 At least making the effort <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Paul, Richard, and Linda Elder.\u00a0The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools<\/em>. Dillon Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2009.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Doughty, Howard A. “The Limits of Critical Thinking.”\u00a0The Innovation Journal<\/em>\u00a011 (2006): 1-10.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Paul, Richard. Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts & Tools (Thinker’s Guide Library) (Kindle Location 85). Foundation for Critical Thinking. Kindle Edition.<\/p>\n<\/a>turns out to be another form of ideological thinking, beset with the same sort of internal contradictions as any other ideology<\/em>.\u201d[4]<\/a> Further, it has the tendency to become nothing more than \u201ca restatement of the scientific method in a manner intended to be applicable to non-scientific problems and accessible in various versions to pupils in grade five and to people pursuing a Ph.D<\/em>.\u201d[5]<\/a>\u00a0 This is not altogether bad, if one is willing to accept that the scientific method is not always useful in addressing problems within the social sciences.<\/p>\n<\/a>to recognize one\u2019s own bias laden perspectives will heighten awareness of the possibility that alternative ways of looking at the world exist and are just as meritorious as one\u2019s own.\u00a0 Keeping the Critical Thinking guide handy can do little harm if one is aware of the potential misuses and consistently seeks to make use of the components most likely to produce open-mindedness in any given situation.<\/p>\n