Critical Thinking and Decision-Making
Critical thinking is naturally important to good decision-making. A standard approach for using critical thinking to make decisions is to first identify and clarify the problem, then gather information about it (Guffey). Evaluating the evidence helps determine the character of the situation, and then one can consider the alternatives and implications (Guffey). Finally, one can choose and implement the best alternative (Guffey). Critical thinking is integral to this process, and obviously none of the evaluation, consideration, or decision-making can be done without some type of mental deliberation.
In spite of the importance and desirability of critical thinking in making decisions, it is not really accurate to state that making good decisions without critical thinking is impossible. Some good decisions are made purely on instinct, such as deciding between two job candidates with comparable skills. If the hiring manager feels compatible with one candidate but uncomfortable with the other, hiring the one he feels comfortable with is almost certainly the better decision. Some decisions must be made too quickly for critical thinking; the parent who sees his child falling and quickly catches him is operating on instinct, and his instincts are reliable. However, instincts alone are not sufficient for many more complex decisions, such as which software package to acquire for an organization. It is always better to couple critical thinking with any decision process and use instinct as a tie-breaker rather than the premise for a decision.
Guffey, M.E. (1996). Five Steps to Better Critical-Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Decision-Making Skills. Business Communication: Process and Product, 2E (Cincinnati: South-Western College Publishing, Chapter 1.
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