Oracle of Consciousness

Asking Questions

The ability to think critically starts with posing serious and deep questions regarding what is normatively considered valid and true knowledge.

Problem Solving

The objective is to find solutions to emerging problems. These solutions can come in different forms and formats. 

Analysing

Rigorous analytical practice is at the core of critical thinking. Analysis is where sifting chaff from grain takes place. 

Evaluating

Assessing information against multiple criteria and never take propositions for granted. Evaluation involves scrutinizing various sources and perspectives, taking into account excluded voices, and silent viewpoints.

Inferring

Inferring is another key critical thinking skill.
It allows one to draw conclusions from analyzed data before making any educated guess. 

Observing

At the observation phase, one notices inconsistencies, irregularities, and abnormalities in their immediate environment. Observing is all about acknowledging the presence of an issue or a problem that requires further investigation and scrutiny. 

Wonder

After observing data, one wonders about possible scenarios, plans, actions, behaviours, etc that could have been applied but were not.

Wondering is about posing questions and imagining possible answers.

Gather Information

Gather information from different sources. The goal is to cover the issue from different angles and explore as many perspectives as possible. All possible sources of data are vetted with an eye on inconsistencies, differences, divergences and contradictions.

Analysis

It is through analysis that critical thinkers deconstruct arguments, reveal implicit biases, and explore alternative viewpoints. Analysis is a methodical process that entails examining and re-examining data searching for patterns of thought and identifying structural discrepancies

Synthesize

Critical thinkers put disparate ideas, assumptions, facts, and propositions together and combine them into an overarching argument. Effective synthesis requires deeper levels of understanding because one can only deconstruct and combine ideas after they have fully internalized them. 

Reflect

Reflection is an iterative process in which one re-assesses their analytical and argumentative logic searching for possible influences, biases, and prejudices that might have impacted their reasoning.

Identify

After gathering information, analyzing it and reflecting on it, the critical thinker is now in a position to identify problematic areas and isolate inconsistencies.  The key is to narrow the broad scope of an argument and deconstruct its structure in such a way that it becomes easier to tackle, one problem at a time.

Decide

The last element of the critical thinking process is making decisions.
As stated earlier, the purpose behind critical thinking is for us to be able to make informed decisions, that is, decisions based on solid facts and arguments.