The generalizability of critical thinking : multiple perspectives on an educational ideal

Is critical thinking generalizable? If so, to what extent and in what ways? These questions seem deceptively easy, yet they involve subtly intertwined conceptual and empirical issues that call for input from the perspectives of psychology and philosophy. The contributors to this volume study the generalizability question using both of these perspectives, and address one of four areas: What are the variant forms of the generalizability question and what is at stake given the various possible answers? What are the central concepts and issues involved in this debate, and what directions are ahead for future research? How would one defend Generalizability, using what stance? What challenges can one pose against the tenets of generalizability? Contributors are Robert H. Ennis, Ralph H. Johnson, Robert S. Lockhart, James Ryan, Sharon Bailin, Harvey Siegel, David Hitchcock, J. Anthony Blair, Linda M. Phillips, Jane Roland Martin, David R. Olson, Nandita Babu, John E. McPeck, and Charles V. Blatz.