Critical Thinking

A response to “Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts” by Peter A. Facione

By Melissa Miranda

 The most impactful information in this article was the sidebar on Page 3, Failures of critical thinking contribute to…  The question below that information seemed to bounce right off the page, “What were we thinking?”  As I attempted to define critical thinking, I realized it is really quite simple. The definition according to me is as follows:

Critical Thinking - the act of considering as much information as possible from my own knowledge, skills, and experience and including the knowledge, skills and experiences of those considered experts on the topic to ensure that the end result is never this question, “What were we thinking?”

Both on the job and in my personal life, I’ve learned to turn to the experts.  The experts may mean a well known geriatrician specializing in the prevention of pressure ulcers and or a mother of five including a set of twins.  I’m not saying that the experts’ information is always the right information for me; but, it is necessary to analyze good information in order to make the best decision.

I will have to use critical thinking skills in order to complete my student project, which is to create an alternative housing design plan for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual/ transgender (LGBT) elders.  I need to read and interpret information about housing, health, and the lesbian and gay elder.  I will evaluate the feasibility of innovative ways for this population to age in place (meaning at home), and develop an idea that can easily be explained and accepted by the RI Chapter of Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders (SAGE/RI).