How a Classical Education Trains Students to Think Critically
Connecting the dots between a classical education and critical thinking.
Classical education is a unique blend of literature, history, philosophy, science, and math that was the standard of education for centuries. In fact, it has only been in the past century that the education system moved away from this type of instruction. Classical education is language based rather than image based. It is a method of learning based on the trivium of grammar, logic and rhetoric which follows a child’s natural phases of intellectual development. (I will discuss this in further detail in future posts.)
With an emphasis on language and critical thinking, classical education provides students with the tools and knowledge they need to be successful in the pursuit of higher education, business, profession, and life. By developing the skills of information gathering, analysis and rational expression, students will gain the confidence necessary to conquer challenges in any arena. One of the key benefits of this type of education is the focus on developing strong critical thinking skills. Students are provided with a systematic approach to develop comprehensive, analytical skills that can be applied to any subject matter, challenge, or situation.
A classical education encourages the student to question and explore topics to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the material presented. Through this method, students come to understand that gathering facts and evidence is essential before forming an opinion. The emphasis on developing critical thinking skills is most evident in the importance place on reading great literature and original sources because it is a language-based program.
A classical education curriculum encourages students to read a wide variety of whole texts and original sources rather than short, annotated selections and another person(s) opinions which is characteristically the norm in a public-school setting. This rigorous discipline of reading and investigation requires the student to spend more time focusing on the details and central ideas presented by the authors. It allows them to form their own assessments and gain a deeper understanding of the material being discussed.
By exploring the texts and looking for themes or patterns, students develop a more holistic and critical approach to the material. In addition, a classical education also helps to develop reasoning and logical skills. Through the process of interpreting texts, students learn to identify patterns and create theories. This encourages them to think critically and make educated judgments. They also learn to support their claims with evidence by using both inductive and deductive reasoning to better understand the traditions of the past to gain a fuller understand of the present.
Classical education also motivates the student to challenge the norm. When examining different texts and topics, students learn to focus less on simply memorizing the material and more on making connections and forming their own ideas. This cultivates a more independent and creative way of thinking. The approach of a classical education is to present subjects holistically rather than in a fragmented method. The subjects flow through a timeline from literature, history, and philosophy, to art, music, science and math, each subject is connected historically, logically, and methodically.
Ultimately, a classical education helps to provide students with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the material being studied and the world around them. By focusing on developing strong critical thinking skills, students become more well-rounded and capable scholars. Through the process of questioning, exploring, and connecting, students can develop a more nuanced perspective that can help them to achieve success in all aspects of life.
In future posts, I will discuss the various methodologies used during each stage of development with an emphasis on explaining the trivium which is the key component of Classical Education. My goal is to educate and encourage parents to seek a classical education for their children. In doing so, we will build a stronger society that is able to address the problems facing our civilization.