The critical thinking wheel

Critical thinking is an active and methodical process that allows us to analyze and evaluate information objectively in order to form reasoned judgments and make informed decisions.

Developing one's own criteria, rather than being drawn into groupthink or accepting assertions without analysis, is essential to improve the quality of one's thinking.

Several key elements can be identified that make up this process, often visualized as a "wheel".

Purpose and Questioning

All critical thinking has a clear objective, purpose or goal. Identifying this goal precisely is the first step in directing the analysis.

Questioning is the engine of critical thinking. Clear and precise questions are formulated to solve a problem or address a situation.

For example, if a student is underperforming, the question might be, "What factors are failing and what should I change?"

Information and Interpretation

Once the question has been posed, relevant and objective information and data are sought, including evidence that supports different perspectives and even facts that contradict one's initial ideas.

Interpretation consists of drawing conclusions based on the analysis of these data and in response to the questions asked.

For example, after collecting customer complaints, transportation failures could be interpreted as a major problem.

Assumptions and Concepts

It is crucial to identify assumptions, which are those ideas that we take for granted, some more founded than others.

Challenging these underlying beliefs is a difficult but necessary task.

Concepts are the ideas that structure our thinking and are expressed through other previously acquired concepts.

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