Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving

Seo, Min-Gyu

Korean Journal of General Education 2012;6(3):221-247.
Published online September 30, 2012.

Min-Gyu Seo

비판적 사고와 창의적 문제해결

서민규

Abstract

This paper explores the conceptual relation of the sub-domains of higher-order thinking. For the first part, I analyze Young-Jung Kim’s theory of critical thinking to specify its relation with the domain of creative thinking. In the second part, I review the theoretical outcomes made by creativity theorists or creative thinking educators, and then try to find its categorical relation with other thinking areas such as logical thinking and critical thinking. As the result of this inquiry, I claim that critical thinking never excludes the elements of creative thinking, especially its key aspect which is called ‘divergent thinking ’. Creative thinking cannot be conducted without the basic elements of logical thinking and critical thinking as well, if it is not restricted within its divergent part. Since, both critical and creative thinking abilities are substantiated on the thinking agency ’s problem-solving competency, and the problem-solving in the level of higher-order thinking is the emergent outcome of the critico-creative potentiality of the domain specificity.

Key Words: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Creative Problem Solving, Divergent Thinking, Convergent Thinking, Domain Specificity