Developing Critical Thinkers: Challenging Adults to Explore Alternative Ways of Thinking and Acting

by Stephen D. Brookfield

1989 Winner of the Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature inAdult Education This award-winning book offers a practical, straightforwardguide to helping adults develop their critical thinking skills infour key arenas of adult life: in their personal relationships, intheir workplaces, in their political involvements, and in theirresponses to the media.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. After the first chapter I skimmed to see if there would be a deeper development of this important process, but sadly no. Unfortunately this book chiefly focuses on skepticism and aspects of doubt encouraging the reader to 'challenge assumptions and contexts, and image and explore alternatives leading to reflective skepticism'. While those are a part of critical thinking, they are not the key points.
As part of an education framework, c.t. is "the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action."
Too bad there was none of that in the book.

[Zoe Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t really get into this book. It was a bit informative. However, some of the material focused in this book I already knew about. I’m giving this three starts because although I had a hard time finding my own interest in this book I did find some interesting ideas and concepts.

[Fred Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brookfield takes the most broad and best view of critical thinking; few dashing insights, but thorough and well-written--few wasted sentences, all seeming important.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many quotes from books included in the bibliography which is extensive.

[Patrick Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry, but useful

[Bebe Burnside · Rating 4 out of 5]

There wasn't too much here I didn't already know. There were some interesting points on applying Critical Thinking to your personal life. Worth the read if you are interested in the topic.