Critical thinking: curriculum and instructional policy implications

The emphasis on critical thinking in North American schools, colleges and universities has led educators to develop programmes to help students reason better. However, there are differing conceptions of critical thinking. In this article the policy implications of four of these conceptions ‐ those of R. Ennis, R. Paul, J. McPeck, and M. Lipman's Philosophy for Children programme ‐ are analysed. It is concluded that each of these conceptions would realize different approaches to curriculum and instruction, even though the overall ‘critical manner’ of teaching would be common to them all.