Critical Thinking and Community of Inquiry within Professional Organizations in the Developing World. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elicor, Peter Paul E.
• Other Names: Pant Anirvan guest-editor.; Ojha Abhoy K. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of human values. Volume 23:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Critical thinking -- community of inquiry -- Matthew Lipman -- organizational values -- organizational identity; Management -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; Social values -- Periodicals; Business ethics -- Periodicals; 303.4
• DOI: 10.1177/0971685816673479
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0971-6858

Abstract

In this article, I intend to underscore the importance of critical thinking in rendering invaluable positive contributions and impact within professional organizations in the developing world. I argue that critical thinking treated as a normative principle and balanced with a pragmatic orientation provides a rational framework for resolving conflicts that oftentimes ensue from the incoherence between Western-based organizational theories and the actual circumstances of a developing country. In order to optimize the benefits of critical thinking, I also argue that it should not be expected only among leaders and managers, but also and more importantly, among organizational members and associates. It is for this reason that I introduce Matthew Lipman's Community of Inquiry as a model for cultivating critical thinking within professional environments.