Abstract
Shanghai educators adopt ‘Chinese-style’ critical thinking that is culturally appropriate and necessary to prepare their students for their exams.
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Notes
- 1.
For a discussion of how critical thinking is promoted in another East Asian society, Singapore, see Tan (2007b). The book is a collection of essays written by primary, secondary and preuniversity school teachers in Singapore.
- 2.
That is why I prefer a definition of critical thinking that adheres as closely as possible to its etymological roots of judgement and standards. In this regard, Lipman’s definition, in my view, accurately reflects the essence of critical thinking. For discussion on the relationship between critical thinking, Confucius and Confucian/Asian culture, see Chiu (2009), Han and Scull (2010), and Kim (2003).
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Tan, C. (2013). Critical Thinking: The Chinese Way. In: Learning from Shanghai. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 21. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4021-87-6_16
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