Discussion on the Logical Basis of Critical Thinking

Shi Jing

doi:10.11648/j.ijp.20210902.14

Abstract

Theoretically, critical thinking has a close connection with logic science. It is only a matter of opinion whether critical thinking should be used to direct the science of logic or it should be based on logic science. Many scholars, including educators, psychologists, and philosophers have joined in the discussion on critical thinking. There are two main viewpoints on the Basis of Critical Thinking. As a foundation course based on science, the science of logic curriculum is well-developed and mature. The science of logic can be subdivided into formal logic and informal logic. One of them believes that critical thinking has nothing to do with logic science, while the other argues that critical thinking is interrelated with both branches of formal and informal logic, but it is different from both of them. What’s more, it holds that formal logic and informal logic together constitute the logical basis of critical thinking. In addition, as a form of thinking, critical thinking and innovative thinking are closely related to logical thinking and contain logical thinking. Therefore, innovative thinking is the purpose of critical thinking, and logic is the theoretical basis of critical thinking. The cultivation of critical thinking and innovative thinking is conducive to the cultivation of College Students' innovative quality and spirit, and to the improvement of the cultivation quality of innovative talents.

Highlights

At present, Chinese universities that offer critical thinking courses all directly use the science of logic as the basis of critical thinking curriculum
To make a strict distinction between the effective reasoning form and the invalid reasoning form in formal logic is indispensable for accurate critical thinking: an argument based on invalid reasoning form is not convincing, and a persuasive argument can only be born of the effective reasoning form
Logic science is the theoretical basis of critical thinking

Summary

Introduction

Chinese universities that offer critical thinking courses all directly use the science of logic as the basis of critical thinking curriculum. In China, people who are interested in critical thinking discussions are mostly engaged in logic education. This in essence gives rise to the discussion of relationship between critical thinking and logic science. Critical thinking should solve the problem concerning the validity of reasoning form, and answer the question on the authenticity and credibility of reasoning premise. As a thinking skill and strategy, critical thinking must take the general rules of formal logic as its basis and premise. Shi Jing: Discussion on the Logical Basis of Critical Thinking thinking with informal logic. We may say that informal logic provides the logical basis for critical thinking. Logic science is the theoretical basis of critical thinking. What is the basis of critical thinking? I hope to grasp the basis of critical thinking through the discussion of their relationship, and promote the discussion of critical thinking to a wider sphere and more and more people will join in the discussion

The Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Informal Logic

The Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Formal Logic

Conclusion