Book

What does it truly mean to think critically? While Peter Facione's APA Delphi Report and its six cognitive skills are widely recognized, they represent only one pillar of a rich and diverse intellectual tradition. This book offers a comprehensive exploration of six major frameworks that have shaped critical thinking theory and education worldwide. From Robert Ennis's practical logic for deciding what to believe or do, to the highly structured Paul-Elder Framework of elements of thought, intellectual standards, and intellectual traits; from John Dewey's foundational concept of reflective thinking, to Diane Halpern's cognitive psychology approach emphasizing skills and strategies for achieving desired outcomes; and from Edward de Bono's creative lateral thinking and Six Thinking Hats, to Peter Facione's consensus-driven taxonomy of skills and dispositions—this volume examines each theorist in depth. Each chapter provides: Historical and biographical context situating the theorist's work, Detailed exposition of core concepts and frameworks, Practical applications for teaching, assessment, and decision-making, Comparative analysis highlighting convergences and divergences across theories. Designed for scholars, educators, graduate students, and practitioners, this book serves as both a rigorous reference and a practical guide. It demonstrates how integrating multiple theoretical perspectives can enrich curriculum design, improve assessment practices, and cultivate the intellectual virtues essential for navigating complexity, misinformation, and rapid change.