Abstract:
This article explains the currently dominant paradigm of critical thinking, which is considered universally applicable, in terms of applying various skills, techniques, standards, and procedures. However, it also contends that emphasizing the technical aspects does not make it critical thinking, for that depends mainly upon its own metaphysics – a view that is never discussed. I contend that the metaphysical premise is more important than the skills and techniques, as it is intimately related to the technical dimensions of critical thinking. I argue that without a true and realistic meta- physical foundation, critical thinking cannot produce good results.
Machine summary:
Given that this understanding requires true, authentic, and universal knowl- edge, which speculative philosophy and rationalist metaphysics cannot pro- vide,2 I analyze existing notions of critical thinking and their metaphysical premises, as well as the framework, paradigm, and certain fundamental prin- ciples that transform thinking into critical thinking.
18 The Truth and Reality of True, Authentic, and Universal Knowledge While researching this article, I collected data from the Qur’an and determined that it speaks of the existence and availability of this knowledge in terms of revealed knowledge or revelation and presents a powerful ethical discourse along with historical and empirical evidence.
An analysis and examination of its claims sheds light on one of its discourse’s internal facts: It asks people to consider its ethical discourse, rational arguments, and the provided historical and empirical evidence and then deduce whether it contains the true, authentic, and universal knowledge or not.
It vigorously applies rational arguments and historical and empirical evidence, as well as certain skills and techniques, to evaluate statements, policies, or programs; helps replace the existing notion of critical thinking; and explains the importance and significance of truth, re- ality, and all other things of this world.
As we cannot develop a strong foundation of thinking and critical thinking on our own, I argue that we need to replace conjecture and speculation with true, authentic, and universal knowledge, which always directs us, in a meaningful way, to the right con- clusions.