There is a question which triggered my mind alot, that is
How would education in context to critical thinking would help the people of Pakistan? How would the people be able to acquire, comprehend, evaluate and apply this approach to our country?
They would do this by applying the principles of CT in their own educational, professional, & personal lives.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Faheem
Having said this, how would you or anyone from our class teach critical thinking to illiterate people? Is that possible? How? What factors or conditions are necessary for learning and teaching critical thinking in an essentially illiterate country like Pakistan?
ReplyDeleteFaheem
When we talk about illiteracy, must we only concentrate on ones ability to read and write. I truly think that people are capable of being intelligent and even thinking critically if they are illiterate. The question of course arises of how to go about even defining the term 'critical', for starters. But if the society creates such an atmosphere where logic and reasoning are ingrained elements of ones being, then could it be possible?
ReplyDeleteAside from illiteracy how about introducing critical thinking in a society that rejects novel concepts and adheres to their century old way of life.
Sir. I think CT isnt something that can be taght. Sometimes it is an inborne concept so I dont belive that CT really is something that isnt among or within illeterate people. It is just that their plane of CT would be different from ours. They element of information migh be lacking, but they do think critically non the less
ReplyDeleteI don't know if i understood you right sir, but i think the hidden question in your question was not whether illiterate people can think critically or not but how one can effectively explain to them that what they are doing is 'critical thinking'. I feel that there will be a major gap of information in the matter since an educated Critical Thinker may not be able to convey or grasp the delicacy of the mindset of those who aren't as educated. Take the example of a Kid. Its not easy explaining things to them because everything has to be finely described for them to get the entire picture, however it is very easy explaining a similar concept to a bunch of University students because we can assume previous knowledge. Thus i feel that Yes there will be a considerable gap of Information and it would be a very tedious task explaining to them what critical thinking is and how to improve on their skills.(Assuming they already have some of the innate skills Mahin talks about.)
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ReplyDeleteThough literacy can, without any doubt improve critical thinking to a great extent, it is by no means an essential requirement for one to critically think. The ability to critically think is in many cases and to some extent an innate ability. To know how to read and write is essential to survive in the world, but what we fail to appreciate is that literacy does not necessarily translate into being educated. Not every literate man is educated, or rather knowledgable. Similarly, an ill literate person does not necessarily have to be dumb and completely ignorant about everything. Experiences of life are great and possibly the best education that one can receive, even the ill literate, and can teach critical thinking in many situations. Furthermore, ill literate people can also be skilled or trained in something and can critically think in that. Ill literate people may not necessarily be proper critical thinkers but they certainly can critical think.
ReplyDeleteWell sir there are think tanks that function, its not just the president but a whole lot of people who critically think in all manners to help the country survive
ReplyDeleteOne obvious reason how critical thinking helps our country. It's helpful because it’s necessary to participate fully in the democratic process. The system just doesn’t work properly unless enough of us take up the challenge of staying informed and thinking critically about the issues that matter to us.
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