Critical thinking; the father of all disciplines
M. Adeyinka Akapo
Abstract
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M. Adeyinka Akapo
Abstract
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Looking at the history of philosophy, one will see that philosophy is often credited with the attributes of critical thinking, hence, critical thinking is always discussed as a tool of or the same as philosophy. Whereas it seems almost impossible to find philosophy or philosophizing without critical thinking, it may not be true to say that they are the same. This work therefore, demonstrates that philosophy and critical thinking are very complementary, but are not same, and critical thinking is not a tool of philosophy. It agrees that philosophy is the mother, but show that critical thinking is the father, of rational enquiries. For long, critical thinking and philosophy have served to produce results of rational enquiry hence the identification of the critical thinking DNA as is found in all the results of rational and creative thought. Adopting the method of critical analysis, this work concludes that critical thinking should be seen and appreciated for what it is and that it is better for all disciplines to emphasize the need and role of their paternal (critical thinking) DNA as it is what brings them to their pragmatic utilitarian value.
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Looking at the history of philosophy, one will see that philosophy is often credited with the attributes of critical thinking, hence, critical thinking is always discussed as a tool of or the same as philosophy. Whereas it seems almost impossible to find philosophy or philosophizing without critical thinking, it may not be true to say that they are the same. This work therefore, demonstrates that philosophy and critical thinking are very complementary, but are not same, and critical thinking is not a tool of philosophy. It agrees that philosophy is the mother, but show that critical thinking is the father, of rational enquiries. For long, critical thinking and philosophy have served to produce results of rational enquiry hence the identification of the critical thinking DNA as is found in all the results of rational and creative thought. Adopting the method of critical analysis, this work concludes that critical thinking should be seen and appreciated for what it is and that it is better for all disciplines to emphasize the need and role of their paternal (critical thinking) DNA as it is what brings them to their pragmatic utilitarian value.
Key concepts: Critical thinking, Epistemology, Parallel thinking, Critical philosophy, Critical systems thinking, Vertical thinking, Systematic process, Lateral thinking