Thinking and learning to think

"Thinking and Learning to Think" by Nathan Christ Schaeffer is an educational treatise written in the early 20th century. This work explores the essential aspects of teaching students how to think critically and reflectively, addressing various problem areas in education. Schaeffer emphasizes that the highest goal of education is to develop the intellectual abilities of students, providing them with the tools and materials necessary for effective thoughts and understanding. The opening portion of the book introduces key concepts surrounding the importance of active thinking in education. It discusses the need for teachers to make students engage mentally with the material, rather than simply memorizing information. Schaeffer argues for clear and distinct thinking as the foundation of more complex thought processes. Moreover, he critiques traditional teaching methods that encourage rote memorization over genuine understanding, advocating instead for an approach that builds critical thinking through clear concepts and adequate materials that foster reflective learning and deeper comprehension.