Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

Problem Solving:

The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.

Problem solving consists of using generic methods in an orderly manner to find solutions to problems.

Critical Thinking:

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or what to believe. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. Someone with critical thinking skills is able to do the following :

• understand the logical connections between ideas
• identify, construct and evaluate arguments
• detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning
• solve problems systematically
• identify the relevance and importance of ideas
• reflect on the justification of one’s own beliefs and values

A person with a good memory and who knows a lot of facts is not necessarily good at critical thinking.

Benefits of critical thinking:

You can gain numerous benefits from mastering critical thinking skills, such as better control of your own learning and empathy for other points of view.

Critical Thinking is in short

• self-directed,
• self-disciplined,
• self-monitored,
• and self-corrective thinking.

Critical thinking helps to solve problem:

Problem solving and critical thinking refers to the ability to use knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems. This doesn’t mean you need to have an immediate answer, it means you have to be able to think on your feet, assess problems and find solutions.

It refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. ... Good critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information and discriminate between useful and less useful details to solve a problem or make a decision.