Jamaal Pitt

1. How do you teach or model applied critical thinking?

Since I teach Philosophy, critical thinking is a regular part of class practice and assessments. An example of assignment that I believe is particularly good at teaching and testing critical thinking is an assignment in my classes called Argument Reconstruction.  In this assignment, students are required to critically read or listen to an argument given by a source, extract the main premises (reasons and evidence) supporting a claim defended by this source, and then present the distinct premises and conclusion that represent the argument offered by the source. This assignment is great at modelling critical thinking because it requires students to interpret text or speech and reconstruct meaning, to make inferences about the most reasonable interpretations of terms, and to make logical connections between ideas and data used in service of defending a claim. Moreover, this is an exercise that students can put to practical use given that arguments are used regularly in their day to day lives for a variety of purposes.  Lastly, it gives them the opportunity to enter into critical conversations with established authorities and build the confidence to scrutinize perspectives different than their own as well as contribute to important ongoing conversations that can affect their lives.

2. Why do you think applied critical thinking is important in your domain or role?

Applied Critical Thinking is an integral skill to possess and refine in the field of Philosophy. Being a philosopher, with a specialization in Political Philosophy, requires critical thinking as a regular tool to be used to understand and compare theories, principles and values, to analyze and evaluate evidence, to detect inconsistencies and gaps in philosophical and practical controversies, and to find, confront, and engage counterevidence and diverse perspectives. Moreover, critical thinking is necessary to refine one’s own thinking processes, understand one’s own assumptions and prejudices, examine different paradigms of thought and action, see the limitations of one’s experiences, and update one’s beliefs and commitments. All of these activities are familiar parts of life, but philosophers devote much energy to focusing exclusively on these issues.  These same capabilities play a substantial role in my teaching responsibilities as well. They help me to understand and evaluate my teaching performance and help me update my pedagogy for greater effectiveness with my students. Applied Critical Thinking has been especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic as there have been rapid changes to the traditional classroom setting. In light of numerous pedagogical and logistical problems that have emerged as a result of the pandemic, much innovation and modification has been required to maintain an appropriate level of engagement and instruction with students.

3. Can you share a story where quality applied critical thinking was key to your success?

One occasion that critical thinking proved essential to my success was during an internship with GlaxoSmithKline as an undergraduate. The internship was designed to show students like myself that were majoring in Philosophy that the critical thinking skills honed in this area of study have significant applications in the realm of industry. Though unfamiliar with many aspects of the problems I was tasked with solving, I was able to use critical thinking skills to break down projects into their component parts and devise appropriate strategies for understanding the role these parts played in larger issues. Although it has almost been two decades since I held this position, I remember it fondly because it cemented for me that critical thinking is not just an academic skill that is useless in the hustle and bustle of business enterprise (or other professional endeavors). After this experience, I better appreciated that the ability to think clearly and systematically, to identify gaps in knowledge and ask questions, and to be comfortable in the face of uncertainty regarding the best way forward were valuable capabilities that I could use regardless of the specific field of work I chose to pursue.

4. How do you use critical thinking in other areas of your life outside of RIT? And any last critical thoughts?

My most consistent application of critical thinking outside of RIT concerns engaging in the realm of US politics. I am intensely interested in the legitimacy and justification of the power that the state wields over the lives of its citizens. Important critical thinking issues that have been recurring lately in US politics have been the analysis and evaluation of different sources of information and the importance of public trust between citizens, scientific experts, and political officials. To me, these issues signal the importance of developing the skill of critical thinking more generally, especially among those in higher positions of authority.  Moreover, many political issues call into question how the organization and institutions in society support or undermine critical thinking in everyday life.

I may be biased because of my academic background, but I believe critical thinking is a special and unique skill for no other reason than its virtues can be applied to all dimensions of life and professional practice. Whether the focus is one’s studies or work, critical thinking can be utilized to produce more effective and efficient outcomes. This transcendent quality makes critical thinking a fundamental asset for sustainable progress of any kind.