The Challenge of Critical Thinking

September 21, 2010

PLC Alum Joe Pesce tackled the topic of Critical Thinking and Leadership, in an presentation to 2nd year students Tuesday evening.  Pesce, who earned his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Cambridge University, also completed graduate work at the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy.

What is Critical Thinking? 

Pesce described it as "Quality assurance for the thought process." 

He said that critical thinking is a discipline that can be learned like a foreign language, but similarily takes practice, time and effort.  He said it is not a normal way for humans to think.

Rather we are challenged by our mindsets and biases to take shortcuts which create obstacles to a critical thought process.