Western Education and Critical Thinking

Western Education and Critical Thinking


Many students who come from countries outside of the West have difficulty understanding Western education.



Western students don’t do a lot of memorizing




Western students can disagree with professors




Western students can disagree with professors

Western students are required to use critical thinking


Education is different in their home countries:



There is more of an emphasis on memorization




Students respect professors and accept their views




Students respect professors and accept their views

The goal is to learn the knowledge of the society, not to create unusual new ideas


For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is considered “Traditional”:



The knowledge base is required for survival




The goal of education is to teach the knowledge base





Professors are the experts





Professors are the experts.

Students are not qualified to create knowledge


In traditional education, knowledge is seen as a treasure and resource that must be protected for the survival of society.

Knowledge has been developed over time and development of new knowledge is a task for experts.

The task of students is to learn the knowledge.


Western education is not better than traditional education. It is just different.


Why is the western view of knowledge so different?

Most people in the West have come from somewhere else. They have left behind their traditional cultures.


While most countries see the learning of the nation’s knowledge as the most important goal of education, the West uses knowledge like a tool rather than a goal.


The West does not see the value of knowledge in the same way as traditional societies do.

For those in the West, knowledge is important only for what it can do – Help to develop more knowledge.


The West does not see the value of knowledge in the same way as traditional societies do.

For those in the West, knowledge is important only for what it can do – Help to develop more knowledge.

Knowledge is important only if it is useful.


The most important goals of Western education:



Learning how to use the knowledge we have to create new knowledge



Learning how to use the knowledge we have to create new knowledge

Learning how to evaluate our knowledge for quality and relevance


In Western education, there are facts to be learned, but the main emphasis is on solving problems with what we know:



Students ask questions and identify issues to resolve



Students ask questions and identify issues to resolve

Often there is no one clear answer. Students must evaluate evidence and decide for themselves.


For Western education, critical thinking is very important.


What is the definition of critical thinking?



Critical thinking is problem-solving using evidence




Critical thinking requires that you ask questions




Critical thinking requires that you ask questions

Critical thinking requires you to evaluate points of view


Here is an example: Most scientists today believe that climate change is due mostly to human activity. A few scientists say that climate change is not caused by human activity but is due to the cycles of nature itself.


How would critical thinking deal with this problem?



First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate change caused by human or by natural activity?




Second, gather evidence from both sides of the issue





Third, evaluate the evidence





Third, evaluate the evidence

Fourth, make a decision based on the best evidence


With critical thinking, you might ask what your professor believes, but you don’t have to accept your professor’s position on the issue.

Most professors want you to present good evidence for your position, even if it disagrees with the professor.


The Differences:

Traditional education emphasizes preserving and learning the knowledge base.

Western education emphasizes using information as a tool to solve problems and advance knowledge. Critical thinking is very important.


We should not misunderstand critical thinking.



It is not thinking that criticizes everything:



It is not thinking that is rude and unkind:


Critical thinking recognizes that there are many problems to solve in our world and that not everyone holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue:



Critical thinking means listening to all views




It means evaluating evidence carefully




It means evaluating evidence carefully

You must, in the end, reach your own conclusion


A biblical example:

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Acts 17:11

Documents

Western Education and Critical Thinking