Introduction

Thinking is something commonplace; all humans think, so one may wonder why a discussion is necessary. Yet, there can be different approaches to thinking that occur in various layers of the mind. We may see everyday thinking as a basic act: the ability to think, have thoughts, and articulate them. Critical thinking goes much deeper, and is an intentional, focused, and analytical process that draws upon higher levels of mental processes. See it as thinking about thinking. Paul and Elder (2006) defined critical thinking as “the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it” (p. 4).

Working to improve our logic, thought processes, and perceptions is key. Johnson (2020) highlighted how critical thinking is an intentional act of deciding what to do by questioning how we know what we believe to be true and challenging our assumptions. “Critical thinkers are able to deduce consequences from what they know, use information to solve problems, and seek relevant sources of information to inform themselves” (Kim, 2019). This is a higher level of thinking than merely accepting things as they seem to be.

Some of the higher-level mental processes that occur when we think critically are raising important questions, analyzing and assessing information prior to forming an opinion, and coming to well-informed and logical conclusions after considering different perspectives on a topic. Kim (2019) stated that the following skills are fundamental to critical thinking:

• •  Understand the logical connections between ideas.
  • Identify, construct, and evaluate arguments.
  • Detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning.
  • Solve problems systematically.
  • Identify the relevance and importance of ideas.
  • Reflect on the justification of one’s own beliefs and values.

Critical thinking requires going beyond quick responses, deeply challenging us to reflect on our assumptions, biases, worldviews, and how we take in information. This approach to thinking is an active process that, with practice, can be learned and improved. Critical thinking follows the rules of logic yet allows ample space for creativity and expansive thought. Kim (2019) addressed a common misconception people hold:

Critical thinking should not be confused with being argumentative or being critical of other people. Although critical thinking skills can be used in exposing fallacies and bad reasoning, critical thinking can also play an important role in cooperative reasoning and constructive tasks. Critical thinking can help us acquire knowledge, improve our theories, and strengthen arguments (para. 2).

The traits of critical thinkers include creativity, curiosity, thinking outside the box, a love of knowledge, being open minded, the ability to change perspective and accept other viewpoints, distinguishing between fact and opinion, and questioning the validity and truth of ideas. Critical thinking is a fundamental skill for personal and professional growth. Developing this skill can lead one to be more self-aware, compassionate towards others, and understanding of the complexities of life and the impact of structures and systems.