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| Critical Thinking Uzma Mazhar © 2003 On examining the literature on critical
thinking, various definitions emerge. Here are some examples:
Critical thinking involves:
A significant characteristic of critical
thinking is metacognition. Metacognition is thinking about one's own
thinking, ie: being aware of one's own thinking as one performs specific
tasks and then using this awareness to control what one is doing. (Jones
& Ratcliff, 1993) 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 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. 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. References: Contact Info: UzmaMazhar@hotmail.com |