Why is Teaching Critical Thinking Important?
After looking at what constitutes critical thinking, it is then prudent to inspect why it is important to teach. These reasons include:
- Improving learning via critical thinking skills ("learning is the most important goal of schooling (Kassem, 2000)")
- Liberating the mind by creating "competent" and "independent" judges (Siegel, 1980)
- Sustaining democracy since critical thought "sustains, builds, and perpetuates the democracy (Abrami, et al., 2008)"
- Providing economic opportunities as "people with well-developed critical thinking skills are in high demand (Willingham, 2008)"
- Enabling people to keep pace with the modern, ever-changing world
Improving Learning
Liberating the Mind
Sustaining Democracy
Providing Economic Opportunities
Critical thinking also has applications in a personal, economic sense. After all, “teachers, politicians, and businessmen are quick to point out that people with well-developed critical thinking skills are in high demand (Willingham, 2008).” Critical thinking is a sought after skill and those skilled in its application are more likely to reap the benefits of such. Similarly, “employers are demanding that education, no matter in what discipline or at which level, ought to enable graduates to think ‘smarter’ than was the case in the past (Pithers & Soden, 2000).” This increased demand for critical thinkers compounded with an increasingly “pluralistic society” creates a highly competitive atmosphere where developed thinking skills can make all the difference (Vieira, Tenreiro-Vieira, & Martins, 2011). These critical thinking skills provide for more economic opportunities and allow skilled thinkers a greater chance for success.