One of the better academic definitions I have seen for critical thinking comes from Michael Scriven & Richard Paul, presented at the 8th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking and Education Reform, Summer 1987. Their definition reads:

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.”

Point being, this is a “thought process”, not necessarily an instinctive nor intuitive one (though I hold these in equally high regard). Critical thinking is “thinking”, but often executed in a particularly challenging scenario or situation. If there was ever a time for this to be applied, it is when danger is threatening our safety or survival. But who exactly teaches us this skill set?

Well, I personally have not seen this taught in schools (lower or higher education), though to be fair it is not necessarily their responsibility to do so. Education implies thinking and even creative thinking, but neither of these are the same as “critical” thinking.

Probably the closest we come to this type of teaching or training is done in either the military and/or law-enforcement as theirs are life-and-death choices that take place in fractions of a second if lives (their lives or others) are to be spared. So does that mean we all must go through boot camp or the police academy? That’s hardly an option.

No, for the most part, you are on your own seeking out those who will aid you in this process. The good news is that they are out there. The bad news is that they are often incredibly hard to find in the private sector. There are, however, many good books that can be read on the topic, even some good video tutorials available online or by purchase on DVD. But again, choose well, for not all are what they seem.

The VALUE, though, for such a journey and process is not only life-saving, but life-extending. Not every potentially dangerous situation poses a life-threatening scenario, a mugging for example. However, not every “innocent encounter” may leave you unscathed either, date rape for example. They keys to such situations are either (1) learning how not to get caught in such situations (spotting trouble ‘before’ the trouble spots you) and/or (2) leaning how to escape the situation with as little harm as possible. The first key calls or thinking in advance, the second key calls for thinking on your feet! Both are valuable skill sets.

But not every potentially harmful situation takes place in a moment of time. Take online dating for example. You may be chatting with Mr./Ms. Right online days, weeks or months in advance of possibly meeting them in person for the first time. A measure of due diligence can help make that first encounter a memorable one, or one you WISH you could forget! Where did you arrange to meet him/her? Do they know how/where you will arrive or depart? Do you have a back-up plan (or person) if the encounter turns out to be bad or even “false” from the get-go? These are examples of critical thinking to insure safety. But did your mom or dad teach you this? How about your school or church? How about that online dating service you used to actually connect with this person? Nope, it is up to you, but this is an example of how and where you begin.

“Critical thinking” is a skill and a process. You never really “arrive”, but you can “begin”, and we’re here to help!

Jeff McKissack, Founder
Trouble Spotters

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