LESSON TEN

PRACTICALITY OF CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING

PRACTICALITY OF CRITICAL AND CRATIVE THINKING
INTRODUCTION
In the previous lessons, we discussed in detail aspects to do with the description of
what philosophy is in general, and in particular what critical and creative thinking
entails. In the process, we tried to indicate the meaning of the concepts "critically",
"creativity, and "thinking". We tried to show how the above concepts greatly
impact on every human endeavor, be it in ethics, epistemology, logic and
metaphysics, which as you may remember, comprise the major divisions of
philosophy.
There have, however, been unfounded and unjustified claims from some quarters,
that philosophy an hence critical and creative thinking is highly abstract, not
realistic and by implication impractical. We beg to differ with this claim.
In this unit, therefore, we are going to try and demonstrate the practicality of
philosophy in general, and critical and creative thinking in particular, in various
endeavors, arguing very strongly that without a philosophical basis, many practical
issues in life do, infact go the wrong way. We are going to do this by way of
examining the views of one reknowned Ghananian philosopher-Kwasi Wiredu-
whose essay is entitled "what can philosophy do for Africa".
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
i) correctly sugggest or identify human situations in life where philosophy is
readily applicable.
ii) Evaluate various contexts in society with regards to the use or lack of use of
philosophy
iii) Appropriate and demonstrate, by way of several personal examples, the
practically of philosophy.
At this stage, we need, first to remind ourselves about the central concepts of
"philosophy", THINKING, CRITICAL THINKING and CREATIVITY" We begin
with the general definition of philosophy.
Philosophy may generally be taken to refer to a reflective and reasoned attempt to
infer the character and content of the universe, taken in its entirety and as a single
whole, from an observation and study of the data presented by all its aspects
(Wambari, 1992, p. ii).
Philosophy, it must be remembered, has athe function of critically examining
phrases and concepts impartially and reasonably to clasify their meaning and use in
daily human concern.
THINKING : Is any mental process or activity involving ideas. It ranges from
antomatic and unregulated dreaming in sleep, through day-dreaming to reflective
critical thinking where the activity is deliberately directed to contemplate itself.
The activity of thinking includes such acts as remembering, having feelings,
doubting, questioning, reasoning and making judgements. It is a manifestation that
some thing is going on in our heads. There is a lowere and higher order thinking.
CRITICAL THINKING - Lies on the higher level of thinking. It is described as the
habit of carefully reasoned inspection of the way we evaluate, judge and act with
the aim of making ourselves wiser, more self-reflective and therefore better men
and women. A critical thinker thinks for him/herself as an individual and accepts
only what has been proved or demonstrated to the satisfactiin of reason.
CREATIVITY - Has something to do with bringing forth something new. It is an
immediate result of critical thinking aimed as solving certain problems or dealing
with certain situations in everyday life. For example, where one is unable to use a
regular toothbrush, because he/she forgot it somewhere, creativity demands that
one looks for an alternative in order to bruch his/her teeth.
NOTE:
It is very important to remember or carry along the above
meaning of the terms given above as you move to the next
stages of this lesson.
QUESTION:
Is it possible that small children of the ages 6 months - 1 year
think critically and creatively.
ACTIVITY:
Together with a friend, discuss and note down the various
contexts where thinking, critically and creatively is important.
Having reminded ourselves of the important concepts in critical and creative
thinking, we now move to the next stage where the ideas of Kwasi Wiredu are
examined.
-According to Kwasi Wiredu:
man lives in a complex world
Despite this complexity, man must understand the world in which he lives
This understanding is difficult, unfishable but an attempt is essential.
Throughout history, therefore, philosophers, who are men and women in this
world, have been engaged in trying to understand the world.
This understanding is not just an end in itself. It generally for the practical
good of man, for the improvement of society.
This improvement of society actually implies change, which is apparently
inevitable in society.
Now, whereas change is inevitable in society, the ideas leading to this change
have to be managed carefully and reasonably, otherwise we could end up with
half-baked ideas leading to change that is disastrous to society.
This is particularly so in Africa where we are under pressure to change our
political, ans social organization from modern conditions and foreign
influence.
NOTE:
The above brief is important for the philosopher because it is
here, as Wiredu suggests, that the philosopher comes in. But
how does the philosopher come in? The next stage shows us
clearly.
The philosopher, who is expected to be a thinker, must let his voice be heard on
what mode of organization is best suited for the society.
He must take an active part, leading in the praisal of our traditional culture.
The philosopher should be able to reveal the basic principles on which to manage
this change
Whereas change is inevitable, change for the sake of mere change could be
disastrous. The philosophers need to look critically and advise accordingly.
NOTE:
Wiredu insists that even though change is inevitable in society,
this change occasioned by emerging ideas need critical
examination. The critically examined and evaluated to check
their suitability for the society. It is here that the philosopher is
most needed.
QUESTION
Suggest reasons why you either agree or disagree with Wiredu
on the idea of critically examining ideas that lead to change in
society.

ACTIVITY
Try, together with friends, to identify and discuss areas
in our Kenyan independence where philosophy would
really have helped.
CHOICE OF A SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM
Wiredu argues that in case of a choice of a social and political system for
example, there is need for an ideology to be followed, infact people ask for it.
An ideology is a set of ideas about what form the good society should take.
Ideas, however,, need a basis in first principles, and it is here that philosophy
enters.
Wiredu is worried that usually calls for ideology is seen as a demand for a
ready made set of ideas which are meant to be adopted - sometimes even by
force.
The philosopher, according to Wiredu, needs to positively oppose the
emergence of forced dogmas-because ideology in this sense is a negation of
philosophy and a bar to development.
Forced dogmas denies others the opportunity to think for themselves. It renders
others unable to think for themselves and this is the worst sin in philosophy.
Ideas need to be thought of by all individuals and where need be contrary and
competing ideas be expressed for purposes of choice.
Philosophers need not issue social prescriptions but encourage people to look
critically at our cultures and where necessary acknowledge our short comings.
If possible, borrowing should be allowed but this should also be done after
retinal reflection.
This initiative according to Wiredu, will not come from the people at large, but
must come from the thinkers. It is the thinkers that will give direction to the
society.
Wiredu further suggests that the philosopher needs not fear discussing issues
that are thought of as abstract. This is because, it is sometimes such abstract
issues. They need to b analysed and people helped to think critically about
such abstract notions as "truth", which lie at the base of ideological discourse.
SUMMARY
In this lesson, we have tried to show that philosophy-hence critical and creative
thinking is practical and necessary to society. We have noted that ideas are sources
of change which is inevitable in society. However, change, unless viewed
critically, where ideas are analyzed and dissected, this change that ought always be
for the good, could end up being disastrous. Philosophy provides this criticality in
every aspect of the society's endeavors. This clearly demonstrates that, far from
being impractical, philosophy is perhaps the most practical of all subjects.
DEFINITATIONS OF KEY WORDS
- Refer to stage 1 of the lesson content.
READING LIST
i) Required reading
a) WAMBARI, K (Ed.) 1992: Readings in Introduction to Critical Thinking,
A.I.C. Kijabe Printing Press, Kijabe.
ii) Recommended Reading
a) John-Terry C. 1994: For the love of wisdom: An explanation of the
meaning and purpose of philosophy. Alba house-New York.
b) Wilson, J. 1968: Philosophy: Thinking about meaning. Heineman
Educational Books-London.
c) Clark, M: 1973: The need to question. An introduction to philosophy
Prentice-Hall in New Jersey.