Viewing critical thinking through diverse perspectives is crucial
to gaining new insights into the concept. There are many differences
between Western and non-Western thought. Westerners
view the individual as the basic social unit and they differentiate
the individual from the family. Western society tends to place
a high value on individualism, autonomy and personal freedom.
Conversely, the basic building block of non-Western society is
the family or the community, rather than the individual. Asians,
for example, are far less likely to differentiate themselves from
their families than are Westerners. Independent and autonomous
actions, so important to Westerners, are likely to be seen in
Asian societies as displays of selfish disregard for the welfare
of one’s family (Hampden-Turner & Trompenaars, 1998;
Hermans & Kempen, 1998). Another major divergence in