Advocacy of critical thinking education based on argument analysis and evaluation

Hong, Jiho

Korean Journal of General Education 2019;13(5):171-187.
Published online October 30, 2019.

Jiho Hong

논증 분석과 평가 중심의 비판적 사고 교육법 옹호

홍지호

Abstract

In this paper, I critically discuss Walters concerns about critical thinking education, as well as the critical thinking education currently being conducted in Korean universities. His concern stems from the idea that critical thinking education does not help students develop their creative thinking competence. I argue that Walters concern is wrong, but at least his concern is significant in the critical thinking education currently being conducted at domestic universities. As a matter of fact, he overlooks the fact that students can develop their creative thinking competence through critical thinking education centered on argument analysis and evaluation. I think critical thinking education should not only help students develop their creative thinking competence, but it also actually helps them. However, the critical thinking education of many domestic universities, which is not based on argument analysis and evaluation, does not help to develop creative thinking competence. Accordingly, I explain what aspects of the critical thinking education centered on argument analysis and evaluation are conducive to developing creative thinking competence, and I argue that critical thinking education should be based on argument analysis and evaluation.

Key Words: critical thinking education, creative thinking competence, creative-critical thinking, argument analysis and evaluation, Walters