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Guðmundur Heiðar Frímannsson
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Abstract
The Spirit of CriticalThinking
Critical thinking can be described as a skill the content of which is the abi-
lity to use the rules of inference to come to conclusions about various issues
in everyday life and in examining theoretical issues. This description would not
capture everything that is important about critical thinking. Just as important as
the knowledge and skill in knowing the rules of inference is the spirit of critical
thinking, the judgment and tendency to use critical thinking when the occasion
arises. This essay is about the most important parts of the spirit of critical think-
ing.The factors discussed are firstly, the readiness to question, to inquire into the
reason for things being as they are; secondly, the desire for truth; thirdly, being
prepared to use critical thinking when the occasion arises, trust research into any
issue and your own ability to conduct and take part in such research; fourthly,
being open minded; fifthly, being prepared to change your mind in the light of
new evidence. Some of the criticisms of critical thinking and rationality are also
discussed and it is pointed out that rationality is so basic to our thinking that
there does not seem to be any way around it.