Unless thinking is organized, it is simply daydreaming. The role of
organization in the critical thinking process is to create a process by
which one can arrive at a conclusion. Daydreaming might be termed a
process, however, with thoughts drifting from one thing to another. But
critical thinking demands several things not demanded in daydreaming.
First, a problem or goal must be identified.
Second, it must be determined what means are to be used to solve the
Third, although not properly part of the critical thinking process
per se, means to achieve what has been decided upon through critical
thinking must be defined, and then put to use.
The origins of order are found in the organizing principles of the
universe. In some ways, critical thinking can be viewed in the same way.
Just as a world could not long exist in chaos and, as the scientists say,
seeks order, a human mind will also recognize chaos and seek to make sense
of it. Alternatively, a human will notice a disorganized result and work
back to the concept that the chaotic result is because of a chaotic,
uncritical set of behaviors and choices leading to it.
There are actually two forces at work in human activity, just as in
nature. One is the tendency to create order from chaos, and the other is
the tendency to disintegrate into chaos; actually, any disintegration
simply appears as chaos because it wasn't what we expected. In fact, it is
simply a different order. (Scaruffi, 1998-2001)
Regarding human activity in critical thinking, by its nature and by
definition, the purpose of critical thinking is to develop solutions to
problems or situations ultimately, although it may begin simply because it
may be the next step after observing.
One may observe many things, however, but unless one applies
organizing principles to it, the result will not be one of critical
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