Critical Reflection

Here is a way to look at the notion of critical reflection. I invite you to add your own ideas, arguments, and examples…

First, reflection. We could think of this as a second consideration of something, another look. To adopt, and adapt, the metaphor of the mirror, perhaps we could say that reflection processes our original thoughts through the ‘mirror’ of distance in time from the precipitating event and our reaction to it, and through the multiple mirrors provided by various other lenses through which to view it.

So reflection often takes place after the original reaction, with a deliberate extension of time devoted, in order to consider more deeply and carefully. Reflection may also involve connecting the subject of reflection to questions of purposes, causes, consequences, and boundaries. As well, reflection can include elements such as evaluation and assessment, particularly with an eye to influencing future action. Reflection is learning. Hidden meaning citing
Now, critical reflection. The term ‘critical’ has a variety of connotations, but here I am invoking it as a particular kind of reflection comprising several elements. Consis of
First, critical reflection calls for us to consider the beliefs, assumptions, values, and unstated or hidden aspects at play in an issue – in a writer’s words, in a speaker’s argument, in our own reaction to something – and once these are identified, examining where they may have come from and how they influence the ‘surface’ message, thought, argument.

Second, critical reflecting involves a search for the lenses, the metaphorical glasses, through which the issue is framed by the speaker/writer, and the lenses through which others, including ourselves, see and interpret that input.

Associated with the second element is another search – this time