Critical thinking is inescapable. Let me say that another way: the way we think about anything is inherently critical. Cognitive scientists agree, roughly, that the mind operates on a number of principles. Our minds perceive boundaries between things, rhythms, associations, classifications, abstractions, and hierarchies. These principles drive the kind of questions I proposed in my previous post.
I wouldn’t argue for a direct correspondence between cognitive principles and the four critical questions. At the same time its clear that when you perceive boundaries between things, then you can start to organize them into a narrative which answers question one, “What Happened?” You can find similar exchanges between the four questions and the other principles.
Maybe this is all too esoteric. The heart of what I’m saying is that you will find those four questions in any kind of critical practice, from science to religion. Here are a few examples of those ideas in play:
1. Literary Criticism: Stanford University’s The Literature of Crisis (link loads iTunes)
This is a great example of literary criticism in practice. The two professors who teach this course really capture S.T. Coleridge’s definition of a literary critic, which is one who teaches others how to read.
2. Theology: Ruveun Cohen’s Course on Passover
I think you’ll find little difference between a good literary critic and a good spiritual advisor. In this case, Rabbi Cohen asks basic (literary) questions about the texts that codify the Jewish holiday of Passover.
3. Policy Analysis: Marcia Angell on Reforming the US Health System (link loads iTunes)
Marcia Angell gives a startling clear analysis of the US Health system and its pitfalls. Listen closely and you’ll hear her answer the four questions we’ve been talking about for two posts now.
