Critical thinking clarifies goals, examines assumptions, discerns hidden values,

evaluates evidence, accomplishes actions, and assesses conclusions.

"Critical" as used in the expression "critical thinking" connotes the importance
or centrality of the thinking to an issue, question or problem of concern. "Cri
tical" in this context does not mean "disapproval" or "negative." There are many
positive and useful uses of critical thinking, for example formulating a workab
le solution to a complex personal problem, deliberating as a group about what co
urse of action to take, or analyzing the assumptions and the quality of the meth
ods used in scientifically arriving at a reasonable level of confidence about a
given hypothesis. Using strong critical thinking we might evaluate an argument,
for example, as worthy of acceptance because it is valid and based on true premi
ses. Upon reflection, a speaker may be evaluated as a credible source of knowled
ge on a given topic.
Critical thinking can occur whenever one judges, decides, or solves a problem; i
n general, whenever one must figure out what to believe or what to do, and do so
in a reasonable and reflective way. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening c
an all be done critically or uncritically. Critical thinking is crucial to becom
ing a close reader and a substantive writer. Expressed most generally, critical
thinking is "a way of taking up the problems of life."[2]
"Fluid Intelligence" directly correlates with critical thinking skills. You are
able to determine patterns, make connections and solve new problems. When you im
prove your critical thinking skills you also improve your fluid intelligence whi
ch also helps increase your problem solving skills and deep thinking elements. A
ll of these skills relate to one part of the brain, and the more you use them th
e easier it will be to put your skill to the test.
The list of core critical thinking skills
includes observation, interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, explanati
on and meta-cognition.
There is a reasonable level of consensus among experts that an individual or gro
up engaged in strong critical thinking gives due consideration to:
Evidence through observation
Context of judgment
Relevant criteria for making the judgment well
Applicable methods or techniques for forming the judgment
Applicable theoretical constructs for understanding the problem and the question
at hand
In addition to possessing strong critical thinking skills, one must be disposed
to engage problems and decisions using those skills. Critical thinking employs n
ot only logic but broad intellectual criteria such as clarity, credibility, accu
racy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, significance and fairness.
Critical thinking calls for the abi
lity to:
Recognize problems, to find workable means for meeting those problems
Understand the importance of prioritization and order of precedence in problem s
olving
Gather and marshal pertinent (relevant) information
Recognize unstated assumptions and values
Comprehend and use language with accuracy, clarity, and discernment
Interpret data, to appraise evidence and evaluate arguments
Recognize the existence (or non-existence) of logical relationships between prop
ositions
Draw warranted conclusions and generalizations
Put to test the conclusions and generalizations at which one arrives
Reconstruct one's patterns of beliefs on the basis of wider experience
Render accurate judgments about specific things and qualities in everyday life
Critical thinking is an impo
rtant element of all professional fields and academic disciplines (by referencin
g their respective sets of permissible questions, evidence sources, criteria, et
c.). Within the framework of scientific skepticism, the process of critical thin
king involves the careful acquisition and interpretation of information and use
of it to reach a well-justified conclusion. The concepts and principles of criti
cal thinking can be applied to any context or case but only by reflecting upon t
he nature of that application. Critical thinking forms, therefore, a system of r
elated, and overlapping, modes of thought such as anthropological thinking, soci
ological thinking, historical thinking, political thinking, psychological thinki
ng, philosophical thinking, mathematical thinking, chemical thinking, biological
thinking, ecological thinking, legal thinking, ethical thinking, musical thinki
ng, thinking like a painter, sculptor, engineer, business person, etc. In other
words, though critical thinking principles are universal, their application to d
isciplines requires a process of reflective contextualization.
Critical thinking is considered important in the academic fields because it enab
les one to analyze, evaluate, explain, and restructure their thinking, thereby d
ecreasing the risk of adopting, acting on, or thinking with, a false belief. How
ever, even with knowledge of the methods of logical inquiry and reasoning, mista
kes can happen due to a thinker's inability to apply the methods or because of c
haracter traits such as egocentrism. Critical thinking includes identification o
f prejudice, bias, propaganda, self-deception, distortion, misinformation, etc.
Given research in cognitive psychology, some educators believe that schools shou
ld focus on teaching their students critical thinking skills and cultivation of
intellectual traits.