- "Critical Thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action" (Scriven, 1996).
- "Critical Thinking is the intentional application of rational, higher order thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, problem recognition and problem solving, inference, and evaluation" (Angelo, 1995).
- "Critical Thinking is thinking that assesses itself" (Center for Critical Thinking, 1996).
- "Critical Thinking is the ability to think about one's thinking in such a way as to recognize its strengths and weaknesses and, as a result, to recast the thinking in improved form" (Center for Critical Thinking, 1996).
- Critical Thinking... involves using criteria to judge the quality of something, from cooking to a conclusion of a research paper. In essence, critical thinking is a disciplined manner of thought that a person uses to assess the validity of something, ie: statements, news stories, arguments, research, etc. (Beyer 1995)
- Asking questions
- Defining a problem
- Examining evidence
- Analyzing assumptions and biases
- Avoiding emotional reasoning
- Avoiding oversimplification
- Considering other interpretations
- Tolerating ambiguity.
A certain criteria must be met for something to be judged as believable. Although each subject area has different criteria, some standards apply to all subjects. "... an assertion must... be based on relevant, accurate facts; based on credible sources; precise; unbiased; free from logical fallacies; logically consistent; and strongly reasoned". (Beyer, 1995)
Critical thinking involves identifying, evaluating, and constructing arguments and the ability to infer a conclusion from one or multiple premises. To do so requires examining logical relationships among statements or data. Ambiguity and doubt serve a critical-thinking function and are a necessary and productive part of the process, urging one to continue their search until they reach the correct conclusion.
Critical thinkers are skeptical and open-minded, they value fair-mindedness, respect evidence and reasoning, respect clarity and precision, look at different points of view, and will change positions when reason leads them to do so.
Prophet Abraham (as) exercised critical thinking when he questioned the existence of the sun and moon as gods, reaching the conclusion that whatever sets and disappears cannot be all-powerful, that the Creator of all these created things was the One God. Bilquis, Queen of Sheba is another example of a human being’s ability to come to the right conclusion through critical thinking.
The Qur'ân emphasizes and demands that Muslims observe, think, ponder, reflect and question creation, including the wonders of the universe and what is within us to recognize God’s existence.
'Do they not ponder/reflect on the Qur'ân?' 4.82; 23.68 & 7.184
'… the signs in detail for those who reflect.' 10.24; 30.21; 39.42; 45.13; 51.49; 51.49
'Do they not reflect in their own minds?' 30.8 & 34.46
'…and contemplate the wonders of creation.' 3.191
'… in order that you may consider.' 2.219; 2.226; 6.50; 13.3
The Qur'ân relates stories of the past generations to make us think critically of what they were doing wrong so that we do not repeat the same mistakes. Islam discourages us to blindly follow any tradition just because that is how it was done in the past.
… so relate the story, perchance they may reflect. 7.176
Learning from the mistakes of others requires critical thinking as well as wisdom. The intellect is a gift from God, and He expects us to use it. Allâh Ta’ala demands of Muslims to raise their awareness and become conscious of what they believe and learn how to make the right choice.
Education involves questioning, researching, forming opinions, verifying ideas and thoughts and then reaching a sound conclusion. There is no such thing as a bad question. When a person who goes through this process submits, he will submit with full awareness, willingness and conviction. An educated and informed Muslim who has examined Islam and then chooses to follow it is better than someone who follows blindly.
‘Can the blind be held equal to the seeing? Will you not, then, take thought?’ (6.50)
‘The blind and the seeing are not equal…’ (35.19) & (40.58)
Critical thinking also demands that when there is enough evidence to support a point, we do not let our ego come in the way of accepting that conclusion. Being human, this poses a much greater effort as well as a willingness to submit despite what our lower self incites us to do.
‘… verily, it is not the eyes that have become blind – but blind have become the hearts that are in their breasts!’ (22.46)
Islamic history is full of examples of intellectual giants in every field of study; from science to astronomy, from medicine to psychology, from mathematics to the fine arts… all of them were open-minded critical thinkers. They questioned and probed until they found the answers that made them the most respected scholars of the past and present. We don’t stop gloating about them, but are too scared to follow their example. Muslims seem to have lost their ability to respect the search of knowledge; they have created an Islamophobic attitude that research and questioning is akin to heresy. The end result is that Muslims today are suffering from their own ignorance.
If we believe that Islam is for all times, we have to recognize that each new era will bring its own questions and dilemmas; and each new generation will examine everything anew… it has to, otherwise it stands to lose conviction.
Not only that, but each individual, in his or her search for meaning of life will and should question the precepts of Islam, until he/she is convinced, only then will they achieve certainty of faith.
Muslims have no right to put limits on any individual’s path of personal growth and evolution. Islam does not discourage or prohibit a person from questioning any and every matter under the sun.
We are too often passive receptors of information, and like a herd of sheep following blindly Muslims have given up the personal responsibility of seeking knowledge. We need to develop and effectively apply critical thinking skills to the complex problems that we face, and to the critical choices we will be forced to make as a result of the information explosion, other rapid technological changes and the political chaos that surrounds us. It is important to know how to ask good questions and to think critically in order to continue advancement. Every field stays alive only to the extent that fresh questions are generated and taken seriously. To live successfully, Muslims must be able to think critically in order to make sound decisions about personal, civic and world affairs. If we learn to think critically, only then will we be able to use good judgment as the guide by which we live our lives.
Muslims need to create an environment that encourages and fosters questioning, examining and debating any and every issue, freely and openly.
© 2003 published on www.crescentlife.com
References:
Angelo, T. A. (1995). Beginning the Dialogue: Thoughts on Promoting Critical Thinking: Classroom
Asad, Muhammad; The Message of the Quran
Assessment for Critical Thinking. Teaching of Psychology, 22(1), 6-7.
Beyer, B. K. (1995). Critical Thinking. Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation.
Cason, Yahya; el Fadl, Kamel and Walker, Fareed; An Exhaustive Concordance of The Meaning of The Quran. © 2000
Center for Critical Thinking (1996a). The Role of Questions in Thinking, Teaching, and Learning
Center for Critical Thinking (1996b). Structures for Student Self-assessment.
Center for Critical Thinking (1996c). Three Definitions of Critical Thinking
Jones, E. A. & Ratcliff, G. (1993). Critical Thinking Skills for College Students. National Center on Postsecondary Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, University Park, PA.
Scriven, M. & Paul, R. (1996). Defining Critical Thinking: A Draft Statement for the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking.
