Chapter 11.1 : This session covers the following content: Definition: Critical Thinking (noun) – The act or practice of applying reason, questioning assumptions, and analyzing information to solve problems, evaluate evidence, and identify biases. Socratic Influence on Critical Thinking: Socrates is considered a foundational figure in critical thinking. His Socratic Method encouraged deep questioning of beliefs, traditions, and authority. Socratic Dispositions Modeled: - Rational Thinking - Open-mindedness -Analytical Thinking -Self-confidence -Inquisitiveness -Questioning the Status Quo -Questioning Authority -Skepticism of Knowledge Claims “The Socratic method fosters critical thinking by encouraging students to question their own unexamined beliefs and the received wisdom of others.” Modern Development: Critical Thinking Styles (University of Florida Critical Thinking Inventory) In addition to skills and dispositions, people also have different styles of critical thinking: Style: Engager Description: Confident, proactive thinkers who seek opportunities to reason, solve, and communicate decisions effectively. Seekerare Humble, open-minded learners who recognize their biases and actively seek out opposing viewpoints in pursuit of truth—even if it challenges their beliefs. Engagers lean toward a Socratic, assertive, reasoning-focused approach. Seekers tend toward a non-Socratic, reflective, truth-seeking orientation. Core Insight: Critical thinking is not just a skill set, but a blend of dispositions, methods, and personal styles—influenced by philosophy, education, and culture.
Chapter 11.2 : This session covers the following content: Chinese Critical Thinking Style: Epistemological Beliefs 1. External Authority 2. Respect for their elders 3. Conserve Traditions 4. Community Centered 5. Truth Seekers 6. Holistic in Thought The government and universities realize the importance of educating citizens to think creatively, critically, and innovatively to meet global needs and challenges. Over 700k Chinese students are studying abroad at places that include the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. But what Style of Critical Thinking are they targeting and how much are they willing to sacrifice? If they pursue the Socratic Method Style of Critical Thinking these are the new dispositions that will be generated: Socrates: His method modeled the following dispositions: 1. Rational Thinking 2. Open-mindness 3. Analytical 4. Self-confidence 5. Inquisitiveness 6. Questioning the status-quo 7. Questioning of Authority 8. Suspicious of knowledge claims. At universities throughout Mainland China, ideological-political courses (a typical term for teaching Communist theory, Marxism, Mao’s thought and Deng Xiaoping’s theory, etc.) are required to safeguard university students’ political loyalty to the Communist Party. These courses are compulsory from primary school to university. Chinese Critical Thinking Style: Results indicate that U.S. students tended to prefer an engaging critical thinking style, whereas Chinese students tended to prefer an information seeking critical thinking style. These differences between critical thinking style preferences may be explained by students’ cultural backgrounds. Seeker Style: People who score on the seeking information side of the scale are aware of their own predispositions and biases and recognize their current opinions and positions have been influenced by his or her environment and experiences. They are “hungry learners,” open to the opinions of others and take care to seek out divergent points of view. Seekers have a desire to know the truth, even if the truth conflicts with presently held beliefs and opinions. In response to the question ‘Why should we teach critical thinking?’ proponents of critical thinking have given the following three answers: a) it enhances individual autonomy, b) it fosters well-functioning democracies, and c) it improves one’s linguistic skills (and, hence, one's ability to persuade). Chinese Critical Thinking Style: Seeker Style will preserve the culture; Engager Style will transform it.
Chapter 11.3 : This session covers the following content: Key Features of the Japanese Critical Thinking Style: - Respect for External Authority Knowledge from teachers, professors, or published experts is seen as unquestionably valid. - Respect for Elders & Tradition Upholding the wisdom of older generations and integrating cultural traditions is a core value. - Collectivism & Harmony Emphasis on group harmony over individual expression; avoiding conflict is more important than asserting personal opinions. - Truth-Seeking There is a sincere desire for truth, but the method emphasizes quiet reflection, deep listening, and internalization, not argument or debate. - Holistic Thinking Japanese reasoning tends to be contextual, intuitive, and integrated, rather than linear and reductionist. Educational Practices: - Rikai (理解) Learning is focused on memorization, repetition, and summarization of authoritative sources. “Understanding” is often measured by the ability to recall, not critique. - Haragei (腹芸) A form of intuitive communication that values silence, presence, and mutual understanding over verbal argument. Encourages non-verbal, emotional intelligence and subtle, heart-based comprehension. Cultural Beliefs About - - - Knowledge: Objective = External | Subjective = Internal Content from authoritative sources are treated as objective truths. To Japanese students subjective meant thoughts of their own, whereas objective meant thoughts of others. - Verbal Debate & Rhetoric are discouraged Seen as threats to group harmony rather than signs of critical engagement. Western-style "clarification of conflicting views" is often avoided in Japanese education. Implications for Global Education: “The particular kinds of epistemological beliefs valued in American schools may be biased in favor of students with Western cultural backgrounds...” – Tasaki Western schools often reward Socratic traits (debate, critique, self-expression), potentially disadvantaging students from cultures that value collective harmony, respect for authority, and quiet reflection. Japanese learners might align more closely with the “Seeker” style of critical thinking—deeply open, truth-focused, and aware of their own biases—but express this in non-Western, non-confrontational ways. Core Insight: Critical thinking exists across cultures, but it looks different. Western educators must recognize and value alternative modes of reasoning and truth-seeking, such as the Japanese emphasis on harmonious inquiry, intuitive communication, and respectful learning.