What is critical thinking?

The simplest way to define critical thinking is taking the facts of a situation, event, or item and using them to form a judgment about that thing. When you employ critical thinking, you're putting your own experience, observation, analytical skills, and reasoning to work to examine the facts and to apply intellectual standards to those facts. Critical thinking involves asking questions, gathering information, removing preconceived notions, and communicating clearly about that which you're analyzing. Critical thinking allows you to more clearly approach any subject to learn and understand it better.

Why is it important for me to learn critical thinking?

When you grasp the principles of critical thinking, you're able to analyze and reflect on the facts and put aside any biases that you may have. You probably already put critical thinking to work in your daily life to one extent or another, but you may not apply it as a discipline. The idea behind critical thinking is to understand the connections between the facts and ideas of a subject or situation, and it involves developing certain skills to engage effectively in reasoning. It's not about the knowledge you've accumulated; rather it's about how you're able to think and reason in a given moment. It's a skill that you have to learn and practice to use effectively.

How does critical thinking affect my career?

You can apply critical thinking as a way to improve yourself at work. Critical thinking skills allow you to make reasonable decisions in the moment, especially when you or others around you are under stress. You can solve problems better when you put critical thinking into practice. Critical thinking also helps you to make decisions without resorting to emotions or selfishness. Thorough knowledge of critical thinking can even help you become more creative and innovative. Critical thinking gives you a suite of tools that you can use to set yourself up for career success.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn critical thinking?

When you take a course in critical thinking on Coursera, you can study topics like understanding arguments, developing negotiating skills, or confronting gender-based violence. You can learn about problem-solving as it relates to the workplace as well as university success. Online courses on Coursera can help you understand reasoning across disciplines and problem solving using computational thinking too.

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Critical Thinking

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382 results for "critical thinking"

Free
Yale University
Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator
Skills you'll gain: Research and Design, Communication, Problem Solving, Mathematics, Business Analysis, Strategy, Marketing, Leadership and Management, Sales, Negotiation, Game Theory, Strategy and Operations, Principle, Entrepreneurship, Critical Thinking
4.9
(4.3k reviews)
Mixed · Course · 1-3 Months
Free
Free
University of Pennsylvania
The Materiality of ESG Factors
Skills you'll gain: Accounting, Audit, Budget Management, Business Analysis, Business Psychology, Business Research, Change Management, Collaboration, Communication, Corporate Bond, Critical Thinking, Design and Product, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources, Investment Management, Leadership Development, Leadership and Management, Marketing, Organizational Development, Packaging and Labeling, Performance, Probability & Statistics, Product Lifecycle, Project Management, Regulations and Compliance, Research and Design, Risk, Risk Management, Sales, Social Media, Strategy, Strategy and Operations
4.7
(286 reviews)
Beginner · Specialization · 3-6 Months
Arizona State University
Arizona State University TESOL
Skills you'll gain: Business Analysis, Business Psychology, Communication, Critical Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Human Learning, Human Resources, Leadership and Management, Lesson Plan, Marketing, People Development, Planning, Research and Design, Sales, Speech, Strategy, Strategy and Operations, Supply Chain and Logistics, Teaching, Writing
4.9
(15.3k reviews)
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3-6 Months

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular critical thinking courses

Creative Problem Solving: University of Minnesota
Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator: Yale University
Critical Thinking Skills for University Success: The University of Sydney
Involve Critical Players with Stakeholder Maps in Miro: Coursera Project Network
American Contract Law II: Yale University
Teaching with Peer Review Using Eduflow: Coursera Project Network
Academic Discussions in English: University of California, Irvine
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination: West Virginia University
Critical thinking: reasoned decision making: Tecnológico de Monterrey
The Materiality of ESG Factors: University of Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions about Critical Thinking

The simplest way to define critical thinking is taking the facts of a situation, event, or item and using them to form a judgment about that thing. When you employ critical thinking, you're putting your own experience, observation, analytical skills, and reasoning to work to examine the facts and to apply intellectual standards to those facts. Critical thinking involves asking questions, gathering information, removing preconceived notions, and communicating clearly about that which you're analyzing. Critical thinking allows you to more clearly approach any subject to learn and understand it better.‎
When you grasp the principles of critical thinking, you're able to analyze and reflect on the facts and put aside any biases that you may have. You probably already put critical thinking to work in your daily life to one extent or another, but you may not apply it as a discipline. The idea behind critical thinking is to understand the connections between the facts and ideas of a subject or situation, and it involves developing certain skills to engage effectively in reasoning. It's not about the knowledge you've accumulated; rather it's about how you're able to think and reason in a given moment. It's a skill that you have to learn and practice to use effectively.‎
You can apply critical thinking as a way to improve yourself at work. Critical thinking skills allow you to make reasonable decisions in the moment, especially when you or others around you are under stress. You can solve problems better when you put critical thinking into practice. Critical thinking also helps you to make decisions without resorting to emotions or selfishness. Thorough knowledge of critical thinking can even help you become more creative and innovative. Critical thinking gives you a suite of tools that you can use to set yourself up for career success.‎
When you take a course in critical thinking on Coursera, you can study topics like understanding arguments, developing negotiating skills, or confronting gender-based violence. You can learn about problem-solving as it relates to the workplace as well as university success. Online courses on Coursera can help you understand reasoning across disciplines and problem solving using computational thinking too.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Filter by

382 results for "critical thinking"

Creative Problem Solving

Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator

Critical Thinking Skills for University Success

Involve Critical Players with Stakeholder Maps in Miro

American Contract Law II

Teaching with Peer Review Using Eduflow

Academic Discussions in English

Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination

Critical thinking: reasoned decision making

The Materiality of ESG Factors

Modern and Contemporary Art and Design

Arizona State University TESOL

Searches related to critical thinking

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular critical thinking courses

Frequently Asked Questions about Critical Thinking

What is critical thinking?‎

Why is it important for me to learn critical thinking?‎

How does critical thinking affect my career?‎

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn critical thinking?‎

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Filter by

382 results for "critical thinking"

Searches related to critical thinking

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular critical thinking courses

Frequently Asked Questions about Critical Thinking

What is critical thinking?‎

Why is it important for me to learn critical thinking?‎

How does critical thinking affect my career?‎

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn critical thinking?‎

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Earn a degree or certificate online

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