Critical thinking
Critical thinking is the careful, purposeful evaluation of information, arguments and conclusions according to clear criteria.
Definition
Critical thinking is not about constant denial. It's about checking assumptions, sources, evidence, logical transitions and possible cognitive biases. It supports the autonomy of thinking because it allows you to separate a belief from a well-founded conclusion.
Key ideas
- Assessment of evidence
- Checking assumptions
- Criteria-based reasoning
Practice and life
Before accepting a valid conclusion, write down: the source, evidence, alternative explanation, and condition that could change your assessment.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to confuse criticality with cynicism. The second mistake is to apply critical questions only to other people's views.
> Critical thinking does not destroy meaning, it only checks whether the meaning is based on facts.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What evidence supports this conclusion?
- What are the alternative explanations?
- Do I also check my own assumptions?