Philosophy and critical thinking

Abstract

This article reflects on the need to strengthen a practical and critical philosophy within university education, capable of addressing the contemporary problems faced by Latin American societies, such as inequality, violence, dependency, corruption, and social exclusion. The author argues that the teaching of philosophy should not be limited to the historical study of European philosophical systems, but should instead focus on developing students’ capacities for argumentation, critical analysis, and ethical commitment to their social context. Drawing on Latin American critical thought and the philosophy of liberation, the article emphasizes the importance of decolonizing consciousness and producing situated knowledge rooted in local realities while remaining open to universal philosophical dialogue. The study also highlights the social responsibility of universities, which are called upon to transform theoretical knowledge into practical knowledge oriented toward the common good. Through a review of curricular trends in philosophy programs at various universities, the article identifies a growing emphasis on ethics, argumentation, and contemporary sociopolitical issues. The article concludes that university philosophy should be conceived as a philosophy of action—transdisciplinary and humanizing—capable of contributing to intellectual emancipation, the reconstruction of social bonds, and critical social transformation.