Critical Thinking as an Intellectual Right

Abstract

Introduction:  This chapter is adapted from Siegel (in press), in which I argue that the critical thinker is best thought of as one who is appropriately moved by reasons.  In this view, critical thinking involves a variety of reasoning and other cognitive skills; knowledge of various sorts; a set of tendencies or dispositions to exercise those skills and utilize that knowledge; the valuing of reasons and an appreciation of their epistemological force; and a certain sort of character.  I am grateful to David Moshman and Carol Crowley for helpful comments on an earlier draft.