Epistemological considerations on the exercise and teaching of critical thinking

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36661/2595-4520.2026v9n2.15524

Keywords:

Critical Thinking, Science Education, Epistemology

Abstract

Critical thinking is widely recognized as a central goal in both science education and general education. In this paper, we propose elements that we consider fundamental to an epistemology of critical thinking: the rejection of epistemic relativism and absolutism, as well as the recognition of the provisional nature of the reasons supporting beliefs and actions. We further argue that fallibilism, in addition to opposing these epistemically extreme positions, constitutes an essential principle for the teaching of critical thinking. Understanding the fallibility of our reasons requires caution in communicating ideas and open-mindedness — that is, a willingness to consider conclusions that challenge our own beliefs. We contend that, in an education committed to the development of critical thinking, reasons presented in the classroom must be continuously evaluated and revised, as well as communicated and discussed based on a reasonable understanding of their epistemological foundations.

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Author Biographies

  • Guilherme Brambatti Guzzo, Universidade de Caxias do Sul

    Biólogo, doutor em Educação em Ciências e professor da área do Conhecimento da Vida na Universidade de Caxias do Sul (UCS). Atualmente, é coordenador do Museu de Ciências Naturais da UCS e membro do corpo docente permanente do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Ciências e Matemática da mesma Instituição. É criador do projeto de divulgação científica "Nas Trilhas da Razão".

  • Gabriel Dall’Alba, University of British Columbia

    Biólogo, é professor da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade da Colúmbia Britânica (Canadá). Leciona o Seminário de Ciências do Primeiro Ano e o componente de Pensamento Científico e Letramento do programa Science One. Gabriel também é criador do projeto de divulgação científica 'Nas Trilhas da Razão'

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Published

15-04-2026

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Revista Insignare Scientia (RIS): Special Edition: Critical Thinking in Science in the Latin American Context

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2026 Guilherme Brambatti Guzzo, Gabriel Dall’Alba

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

GUZZO, Guilherme Brambatti; DALL’ALBA, Gabriel. Epistemological considerations on the exercise and teaching of critical thinking. Revista Insignare Scientia - RIS, Brasil, v. 9, n. 2, p. e15524, 2026. DOI: 10.36661/2595-4520.2026v9n2.15524. Disponível em: https://periodicos.uffs.edu.br/index.php/RIS/article/view/15524. Acesso em: 23 apr. 2026.