A New Wave of Sensation: the Critical Role Emotions Play in Critical Reflection

This paper is a first attempt at outlining a conceptualisation of critical thinking that foregrounds the role of emotion. Building on a relational and interdependent perspective (as opposed to the traditional technical-rational view), it is proposed that greater awareness of emotions and the information they are conveying to us (emotional literacy) is something that would enhance the process and impact (or result) of critical reflection and contribute a significant advancement of the conceptualisation of the approach. 1 Correspondence to: Jacqui McManus; address: The University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, AUSTRALIA; phone: +612 9385 2808; email [email protected].