Critical Thinking and Philosophical Arguments

Choi, Heebong; Kim, Tae-Young

Korean Journal of General Education 2014;8(6):585-614.
Published online December 30, 2014.

Heebong Choi, Tae-Young Kim

비판적 사고와 철학적 논증

최희봉, 김태영

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to provide specific cases that analyze and assess philosophical reasoning through methods of critical thinking. Numerous workbooks have been published within the decade since the notion of critical thinking was introduced in Korea. However, most are either supplementary textbooks for essay composition targeting students in high school or college, or books designed to serve courses in liberal education, thereby lacking in-depth research into specifically how advanced critical thinking can be utilized in various university subjects. This paper examines and evaluates a range of methods involved in critical thinking as they are applied to the process of philosophical reasoning. By doing so, this paper brings light to how critical thinking is to be assessed. This will assist our understanding of what critical thinking is, how it is to be applied to various fields of study, what benefits we may seek, and what limitations we may face.

Key Words: Critical Thinking, Philosophical Argument, Philosophy Education, Philosophical Writing, The Analysis and Evaluation of Argument