Critical Thinking & It’s Application

Critical Thinking and its Application

Critical thinking is usually described as a process of analysis and evaluation. Steven Schafersman (1991) compares critical thinking's analysis requirement to modern scientists:

"Critical thinking can be described as the scientific method applied by ordinary people to the ordinary world. This is true because critical thinking mimics the well-known method of scientific investigation: a question is identified, a hypothesis formulated, relevant data sought and gathered, the hypothesis is logically tested and evaluated, and reliable conclusions are drawn from the result. All of the skills of scientific investigation are matched by critical thinking, which is therefore nothing more than scientific method used in everyday life rather than in specifically scientific disciplines or endeavors. Critical thinking is scientific thinking. Many books and papers describing critical thinking present its goals and methods as identical or similar to the goals and methods of science. A scientifically-literate person, such as a math or science instructor, has learned to think critically to achieve that level of scientific awareness. But any individual with an advanced degree in any university discipline has almost certainly learned the techniques of critical thinking (para. 12)."

Considering the possibilities of proper management, one would assume one of the pre-requisites for taking a step higher for a company would be to have understanding and knowledge of critical thinking. However, the theory of critical thinking remains with different opinions and misreading, causing criticisms and bias in the workplace. Understanding critical thinking in my previous workplace, Depiction Software, became difficult and futile. There was never a sense of logical managerial skills within the workplace, which had caused to fail. Critical thinking contains significance in decision-making processes as well. How often is this process used, though?

In today's workplace, critical thinking is often misused and misread. There is no easier way to reduce one's bias. When critical thinking is applied, it includes thought and analysis, based solely on the cause of the problem in the workplace. Theoretically, according to Cengage Learning (N/D), developing the ability to think critically can be difficult because it is easier to make hasty judgments based on opinions and biases than it is to evaluate facts and arguments. For example, your friends might think that the death penalty is just, and you might also think so just because your friends do, without hearing any arguments to the contrary. Your viewpoint, based solely on the opinions of others, would be weak (para. 4). In this case, this is true. It is difficult to generalize critical thinking in the workplace without portraying judgments or prejudiced analysis. In the workplace, someone may have opinions on an employee based on their personality traits. This is often the worst way to idealize when dealing with decision-making. Distinguishing statements between fact and opinion requires identifying facts as reliable and important, and opinions as not needed, or neglected.

Depiction Software, a CAD-building software company designed for the construction industry, was constantly under pressure in dealing with industry leaders, arranging custom software agreements and hiring cheap labor. Taking position as assistant project manager, I made sure due dates were up to date and followed up upon, and brought about using communication faithfully, through e-mail and phone. However, the motivation spread throughout the company to the employees was non-existent. Projects were underestimated, and the owner was investing in unqualified employees, although the owner was sympathetic in the hiring. Knowing that he had used emotions in his critical thinking concepts, the company suffered a down fall. The core employees began receiving underpay due to its broke boss. The aspect of critical thinking should have been more for how the company will do if they invest in qualified employees. It seemed as if the boss had forgotten that his critical thinking should have involved what was best for the company, rather than what would be best for the employees. Implying positivity throughout the workplace is different than consideration for an employee's constant mistakes. The most significant decision I have made in the workplace so far was leaving the company. Becoming underpaid with such unethical behavior couldn't have introduced me to the workplace so poorly. I have learned from