Critical thinking is a way of thinking that involves asking good questions and making objective evaluations and synthesis of information to form well-reasoned judgments and decisions. It goes beyond accepting claims at face value and uses reason, logic and healthy skepticism. Science and the empirical method are centered around critical thinking.
Entrepreneur Deep Patel writes, “Critical thinkers think clearly and rationally, and make logical connections between ideas. They are crucial to exploring and understanding the world we live in.”
The following looks at some important aspects of critical thinking:
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Critical thinking is not a natural way of thinking
Humans naturally operate at the emotional, irrational level. Most human decisions, including many that we think are come to logically, are made at the unconscious intuitive-emotional level that is riddled with unproven assumptions and cognitive biases.
Critical thinking must be taught and learned. We all must constantly be vigilant to be critical thinkers because we all are prone to emotional, irrational thinking.
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Ask good questions
What is your essential purpose in a situation? Is it to find the facts on a topic? Is it to solve a particular problem? Is it to make the best choice from a variety of imperfect options? Figuring out what is the specific purpose is essential, can take time and considers many factors.
Albert Einstein said, "If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask… for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”
Many problems you are looking to answer are complex and multi-faceted. There may not be a single correct or objective answer. For government legislation, the question may be how to lower crime. Beyond the complexity of answering that question, other questions will arise. Few believe in ending crime at any cost. There will be considerations of citizens’ individual liberty, privacy, due process and other concerns. As policies are employed, they may not work or work as well as imagined, there will inevitably be unanticipated consequences, and the policies may have to be altered if not scrapped.
Formulating the question you want to answer takes discernment, and the question may change or be modified as information comes in
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Learn about cognitive biases
We all have unconscious and cognitive biases and blind spots that hinder objective judgment. While they can never be fully overcome, we all must learn about these, and be aware that they exist not only in others and society but in ourselves.
Learn about cognitive dissonance
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Critically gather and analyze information:
Researching and gathering information is essential to solving your problem. Especially in areas where you are unfamiliar, this often involves talking to people knowledgeable in the field. One should work to identify fake news, biased information, and the reliability and biases of the information sources.
A common cognitive bias we are all prone to is confirmation bias. This is where we self-servingly accept information that supports our expectations and prejudices and dismiss information that counters it. Be skeptical of news stories and online articles that reinforce your views.
Learn how to identify fake news
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Be intellectually humble and know your limits
Know what you don’t know. One of the biggest challenges for us all is when we want to make informed decisions in areas where we are not experts, and we all have many areas where we are not experts. Readily admit to and correct your mistakes. Pride and ego often lead to bad decisions and clinging to notions that even you know are false. A common problem is when people are so emotionally attached to a theory or worldview that it becomes dogma.
Physics Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman wrote, "It doesn't matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn't matter how smart you are. If it doesn't agree with experiment, it's wrong."
Critical thinking involves flexibility, and being willing and ready to change one's views as countering information says it should. It involves seeking out opposing views, and listening to understand.
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Be aware of your cultural lens
All cultures have biases and irrationality, arbitrary norms and superstitions. Much of this is ingrained in you and how you view the world, and this limits your thinking.
Critical thinking involves questioning the assumptions and norms of your culture and considering perspectives from outside of your culture. This means that critical thinkers, especially outspoken ones, will experience social pressure to conform and will be considered troublemakers. A hallmark of cults, dogmatic religions and authoritarian governments is the suppression of independent and critical thinking.
Learn about echo chambers and epistemic bubbles
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Be clear and honest in your communication
Deceptive, muddled communication is the enemy of clear understanding. Bad faith communicators intentionally try to deceive and distort, using propaganda, logical fallacies and emotionally charged rhetoric.
Learn what are logical fallacies
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Critical thinking should involve ethical thinking
Critical thinking can be applied without considering how others will be impacted. This kind of critical thinking is self-interested and myopic. Ethical thinking answers problems fairly, justly and responsibly.