Reply #7: I find that when you don't know facts its more difficult to think critically.

[aikoaiko]

Memorization is useful because it allows someone to ponder the relations between things.

Sure one can looks things up, but I find that unless people know things (facts, ideas, theories, etc) its really difficult for them to think about things.

The goal, from my perspective, is to produce critical thinkers, but without a good base of knowledge, I find college students just ask uninformed questions.

I liken critical thinking to improvisational jazz. To be great at improvisation, you have to drill, drill, drill, and learn music theory, music theory, music theory (credit due to Dizzy G).