Critical thinking and its necessity for the system of higher education

Abstract

Introduction. In modern literature on philosophy, pedagogy, psychology, the need for critical thinking for a person living in modern society, and for a graduate of a higher educational institution, is affirmed.Problem statement. The purpose of the article is to specify the reasons for the need for critical thinking. To achieve the goal at the first stage, the author analyzed the English-language review articles on various aspects of critical thinking.Methodology of the study. At the second step, based on the results of the first one, the most significant features of understanding critical thinking in philosophy (ideal, abstract carrier of critical thinking, emphasis on formal logical thought procedures), psychology (attention to thinking in specific situations, determining the connection between critical thinking and types of behavior, analysis of critical thinking skills in certain situations), pedagogy (orientation to the educational practice , reliance on empirical research).Outcomes. Based on the analysis of the review articles, the most significant coherent characteristics of critical thinking as a process were identified: the ability to fix a problem and to put forward hypotheses for its solution, reasoned analysis of hypotheses, comparison with other options, ability to refuse a preliminary solution to the problem, and others. It was also revealed that “intellectual virtues” are necessary for the implementation of critical thinking: the desire for education, responsible reasoning, mental flexibility, rejection of prejudices and intellectual egocentrism.Findings. The analysis of the documents of the World Economic Forum (2016, 2018) showed that critical thinking is included in the list of the main skills of students and professionals.