Critical Thinking
What is your definition of critical thinking (other than what is offered by authoritative sources)? Explain how this process should world and how it differs from your average, daily thought process.
Critical thinking can be interpreted as a mode of thinking in which the individual conceptualizes any subject or problem and improves the quality of their thinking by skillfully applying the fundamental structures of intellectual thinking and rationality. Critical thinking entails the examination of elements of thought that are implicit in all reasoning and assumes responsiveness in interwoven modes of thinking involving science, mathematics, history, economics, ethics and morality, philosophy, and anthropology. It differs from average every day thinking because it requires a set of information and belief generating and processing skills, and the application of these skills to guide behavior based on intellectual commitment.
Different factors influence critical thought. Different experiences have shaped my ability to raise vital questions and problems and formulate them in a clear and precise manner. The experiences I have gathered through the years provide a reference for information that I gather every day. Such experiences influence various abstract ideas to interpret such information and come up with well-reasoned inferences and resolutions that can be examined against relevant standards. Past experiences have made it possible to think open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought and assess implications and practical consequences of my actions (Scriven and Paul). Additionally, I learned that effective communication with others helps to figure out solutions to different problems much quicker and efficiently.
Is critical thinking taught and/or encouraged by the military?
Critical thinking skills and abilities are encouraged as an essential component for developing advanced intellectual abilities among military personnel. The USA military is in the forefront in promoting and improving such skills because military leadership demands the application of high-quality critical thinking for effective command and control (Fischer and Spiker 11).
Who in the military should be doing the critical thinking? Only generals, leaders, or everyone
Everyone should be taught critical thinking in the military. Individuals that require critical thinking skills in the military are those in need of leadership, management, and decision-making skills. According to Eichhorn (2), the army environment has changed, and most of the old paradigms shifted or demolished. Due to these changes, there is an immediate and widespread need for individuals that can examine various assumptions, work faster through problems, evaluate the various courses of actions, make due considerations for implications and consequences, and evaluate the first, second, through the third or fourth course of actions carefully before determining how to act.
What are the best and worst possible scenarios you could envision when every individual in the military uses their own critical thinking skills to arrive at a decision?
When everyone in the military uses their unique critical thinking skills, we can imagine soldiers fighting realistically and avoiding making rash decisions that could lead to civilian casualties. In any war, the soldiers will be able to think for themselves without blindly following orders from their supervisors. On the other hand, this same scenario could lead to a worst case scenario. For example, airstrikes in a town could lead to many civilian deaths and war hostages. However, if the military pilot fails to execute such a mission, some wars may never be won and terrorists and insurgents would raid towns and kill civilians without anyone to stop them.
Works Cited
Eichhorn, Roy. Developing Thinking Skills: Critical Thinking at the Army Management Staff College. 1st ed. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.
Fischer, Susan and Alan Spiker. "Critical Thinking Training for Army Officers" .U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences 1 (2004): 6-31. Print.
Scriven, Michael and Richard Paul. "Defining Critical Thinking". Criticalthinking.org. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.
