Critical Thinking Application Paper

Have your decisions been yielding the results you desired? If not, perhaps it is due to a lack of critical thinking. Critical thinking is a vital skill which can be implemented to solve various types of problems. In essence, critical thinking is following a set method of weighing reasons for or against something to reach a conclusion with the ultimate goal of improving yourself as well as others. It directly involves the gaining of knowledge. Unfortunately, many individuals hold unsubstantiated beliefs and ideas because of outside influences from sources such as parents and society. However, when critical thinking is used to break down information and then uses facts, develops educated viewpoints, it greatly increases our ability to make

In considering the stages of Critical Thinking Development, my level would be considered a Stage 3 which is the Beginning Thinker (Paul & Elder, 2012). Beginning thinkers are cognizant of the fact that they need to take specific steps to improve their thinking (Reichenbach, 2000). As a beginning thinker, I was aware of this deficit in my life yet I lacked any knowledge of a process for improvement. There existed an awareness of my self-centered thoughts and the impact they had on my ability to analyze facts. The result was conclusions which were very hit or miss. I am now aware that a consistent effort must be made to improve my critical thinking and I am committed to this process.

Application of Critical Thinking

To improve critical thinking various skills must be sharpened. Skills vital to critical thinking include the ability to comprehend what is being said; applying this information to what I know; and then analyzing the information with a goal of forming an opinion and being able to support that opinion with

OPTION #1 CRITICAL SELF-REFLECTION

Emotions are not an issue in regard to the impact of faith on decision making. Faith is based on revelation received from God, or a higher power. Emotions are personal and would therefore cloud our ability to discern truth. With regards to faith, I am not expected to view facts other than what they are. However, I am expected to see that there is more meaning to situations than would be given by a simple reciting of facts. (Austin-Sparks, 1936). Therefore, faith values truth. When truth is used as the grounds for critical thinking, is independent of emotion.

Conclusion

Critical thinking is a necessary and valuable component in both our work as well as private lives. It is imperative that we analyze the foundation of our belief system as well as the influences which have helped for form it in addition to our knowledge base to improve the process of our thinking. When we can think critically without the influence of inferences or emotions we are able to reach solid conclusions which result in positive