Competency in Critical Thinking: A Requirement for the “Allied Professional”

Abstract

This article on critical thinking using informal logic was developed for all allied professionals, especially physical education and (educational) sport teachersfmanagers. A brief discussion of the historical background of the topic includes a short statement on the elements of more formal, categorical logic to emphasize that every argument must be placed in reasonably standard argument format. However, the bulk of this analysis will focus on critical thinking, or informal logic, as applied to the managerial role that all within the professions assume to varying degrees. The discussion will center on the need to think clearly and will present a limited discussion of critical thinking, including definitions of ambiguity, sound arguments, and relevant statements and an introduction to fallacies.