ROBERT ENNIS: BIOGRAPHY, CRITICAL THINKING, WORKS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Robert Ennis is an American philosopher considered one of the greatest exponents of critical thinking. He was in charge of deepening the process of human thought, from the point of view of knowledge, interpretation and issuance of judgments and opinions.

Ennis's main premise is that critical thinking must comply with a process that includes the analysis of the hypotheses presented, in a rational and reflective way, to later reach a conclusion that takes into account all the factors involved.

Ennis's definition of critical thinking has earned him the recognition of scholars on the subject, who conclude that his theory is the most accurate, accepted and consolidated today.

Biography

Robert Hugh Ennis was born in the United States in 1928 to a prosperous family. Years later, he showed an interest in the educational process during his years as a high school educator and as a graduate student at the University of Illinois.

Upon becoming a professor specializing in Philosophy of Social Science and Education at Cornell, Sarasota, and Southn Florida Universities, Ennis began working on the postulates of critical thinking.

Thanks to the deepening of Ennis's studies, the legacy of this theorist is able to be seen in a series of publications, articles and thoughts published in unofficial media. It even deals with topics related to the Philosophy of Science and the analysis of educational concepts.

Among his most relevant works is the definition of this current, which expresses that critical thinking is a type of rational and reflective thinking that leads the individual to decide to do something or not.

Ennis is currently a professor at the University of Illinois and serves on the Board of the Association for Informal Logic and Critical Thinking.

Ennis critical thinking

In general terms, it is understood that critical thinking is the way in which we use our intelligence and preparation to analyze and interpret the stimuli that we receive every day.

Critical thinking encourages the person to be able to carry out their own analysis without being under the influence of social trends. In short, the person must learn to elaborate their personal criteria.

However, it is in 1989 where Ennis defines critical thinking as a type of current that is reflective and rational, which allows the individual to concentrate to decide whether to do something or not, according to the base of beliefs and internal judgments that he possesses. The author's intention was to concentrate the concepts already founded in one.

characteristics

To better understand this current, Ennis established that this type of thinking has two main characteristics:

• It is reflective because it analyzes the results and situations of the individual or others around him.
• It is rational because reason predominates over other elements of thought; that is, it is not fortuitous or random because you want to explore the dimensions of the problem presented.

Based on these features, the human being must direct this thought towards action, since it must move in a context where it is possible to find the resolution of problems.

Main dispositions of critical thinking

Critical thinking also focuses on an important trait: constant evaluation. This is mainly due to the need to decide what to do and what not to do. The information we have inside and outside will help to achieve the objective.

Ennis raises a series of main dispositions of critical thinking that will allow the development of a well-established skill:

• Consider whether beliefs are true and justified, using alternative hypotheses, plans, sources of information, and personal points of view.
• Worry about understanding and presenting an honest and clear position for oneself and for others. This should also include the ability to listen to others and respect beliefs that do not match our own.
• Take into account the person or persons with whom we interact. Avoiding having a dominant or aggressive attitude will be vital for understanding positions that are alien to ours.

Critical thinking in education

On the other hand, the elaboration of these premises also led Ennis to express the importance of bringing critical thinking to the classroom, in order to introduce this current at all levels and thus train people with deep capacities for reflection and reasoning.

This important contribution of this American theorist, allowed students of all kinds to identify their personal formation and opinion processes, at the same time that they managed to connect with other members of their communities.

Teachers must have the responsibility of stimulating the students' capacity for questioning and reflection through questions and exercises, as well as argumentation and the ability to analyze what goes beyond the school texts. In the end, the subject must become integral and interested in knowledge.

Plays

Robert Ennis's legacy is estimated to be reflected in a series of books and more than 60 articles published in scientific journals.

However, Ennis's most outstanding work is Critical Thinking, which contemplates the definition and main foundations of critical thinking.

It includes information about the nature of the current, as well as its dispositions and skills that are needed to have it.

Ennis has also excelled in publishing information on Philosophy and Science, which explores the validation and importance of science in education, as well as the opportunities that can be gained through this area. Some of his works include:

- Philosphy of educational research (1973).

- Is critical thinking culturally biased? (19989).

- Equality of educational opportunity. Journal of Educational Theory (1976).

- Cornell Critical Thinking Test Leve X and Z (2005).

- Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking Essay Test (1985).

References

1. From Juanas, Ángel. (2013). Questioning the evidence, educating in reflection: Robert H. Ennis, the study of critical thinking and its influence on the pedagogy of sport. International Journal of Sports Sciences. Volume IX. 298-299.
2. Díaz, Liliana Patricia & Montenegro, Manuel Raúl. (sf). Professional Practices and the development of critical thinking. Retrieved: February 1, 2018 from Universidad de Buenos Aires Faculty of Economic Sciences of economicas.uba.arg.
3. Ennis, Robert. (2011). The Nature of Critical Thinking: An Outline of Critical Thinking Dipositions And Abilities. Unofficial document. Recovered from faculty.education.ilinois.edu.
4. Critical thinking. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: February 1, 2018 from Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
5. Philosophy of Science (Publications). (sf). In Faculty Education Illinois. Retrieved: February 1 fr Faculty Education Illinois at faculty.education.illinois.edu.