Review Concepts- John Dewey

John Dewey, known as the father of modern critical thinking, championed the idea of critical thinking as reflective thinking. His definition: "Active, persistent, and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of grounds which support it and the further conclusions to which it tends." Dewey viewed critical thinking as not only considering the item in question itself, but also where it came from and where it will go. His point about "active... consideration" is a key underlying point in many definitions of critical thinking, as most scholars consider active thought, as opposed to reflexive thought, a critical cornerstone to any form of critical thinking.