The Roles of Critical and Creative Thinking in Gaining Knowledge

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"Knowledge is generated through the interaction of critical and creative thinking. Evaluate this statement in two areas of knowledge." As I was reading this prompt, several questions came to my mind and some of these are: How do we define critical and creative thinking? Is critical thinking more favorable than creative thinking in the areas of knowledge such as natural sciences and the arts? Why is this so? What is the difference between a creative and critical thinker with regard to the ways of knowing? What kind of knowledge can we generate from critical and creative thinking separately? Do we use critical thinking more than creative thinking or vice versa in areas of knowledge such as human sciences and the arts? Which is more used in evaluating knowledge: critical thinking or creative thinking? To what extent is critical thinking and creative thinking developed or enhanced by each other? First of all, we should define the terms in this prompt to assess the prompt clearly and accurately. When we say critical thinking, it is also the same as convergent thinking which is being analytical, judgmental, and selective in our decisions and choices. When we are being critical thinkers, we are making choices. We also follow and create logical arguments which we then eliminate the incorrect paths and focus on the correct one. On the other hand, when we say creative thinking, it is also the same as divergent thinking which is being generative, nonjudgmental, and expansive in our thinking of new ideas. “Creative thinking is the ability to imagine or invent something new. Creativity is not the ability to create out of nothing, but the ability to generate new ideas by combining, changing, or reapplying existing ideas.” When we are thinki... ... middle of paper ... ...ciences, we use critical and creative thinking to search and seek for knowledge by designing and analyzing experiments and data. In the arts, paintings and novels are interpreted by using creative and critical thinking which eventually lead to a deeper understanding of the painting or novel. Therefore, knowledge can be generated and enhanced by critical and creative thinking. Works Cited Harris, Cullen. (1998, July 1). Introduction to Creative Thinking. Retrieved Jan. 10, 2012, from: http://www.virtualsalt.com/crebook1.htm de Bono, Edward. (2006) Edward de Bono on creative thinking. Retrieved Jan. 8, 2012, from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSjZOjNIJg Qualia Soup (2009) Critical Thinking. Retrieved Jan. 8, 2012, from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OLPL5p0fMg Dombrowski, Eileen., Rotenberg, Lena., Bick, Mimi. (2007). Theory of Knowledge: Course Companion

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