What Do Ode to Joy, the Nobel Peace Prize, Umbrellas and Cartoons Have in Common? Why Critical Thinking Matters and How Higher Education Moulds

Abstract

Critical thinking is the kind of ‘good’ thinking used in everyday life to increase the chances of success. A critical thinker combines skill and will when working the odds in one’s advantage. Nevertheless, thinking is very often far from rational. Since people are built to believe, since living is all about choosing and since education liberates, critical thinking is essential: in higher education, in the job market and in everyday life. Yet, it needs explicit instruction and inclusion in the curriculum. This article, grounded on current literature and oriented towards the future, addresses the higher mission of higher education. Higher education must aim to prepare individuals to become active citizens, who address life as a process of meaningful lifelong learning and who are devoted to non-stop regulation of thinking and behaviour, which are guided by ethics and evidence for personal and common prosperity and, more important, freedom.