eli5: What is the difference between between Critical Thinking and Problem Solving?
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Critical thinking is characterized by questioning assumptions and reasoning by fact.
One can attempt to solve problems by blindly applying dogmatic beliefs to that problem.
The two concepts are not, necessarily, aligned.
Problem solving is task oriented. It can be intuitive, structured, using information or using beliefs etc. Critical thinking is an approach to evaluating information. It can be used to solve problems, but the actual act is not task oriented – you can critically evaluate a weather report, a news article or an emotional state without any particular task to solve.
Problem solving is “I need to do A and B to achieve C”
Critical thinking is “why do I need to achieve C?” Or “is A+B the best way to achieve C?”
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