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Open2Think

Open2Think > The Basics

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking makes your life easier. See clear answers to your questions or problems. It is not difficult, and it gets easier the more you do it. After a few weeks, it will come naturally to you, you will begin to think critically automatically.

Make better decisions

Six simple steps to Critical Thinking:

  1. Question everything! Never assume that the answer is right because “it’s always been like this”, or “we all know this”. False knowledge is dangerous because you think you know it already, so it must be true.
    Who is saying this?
      - What are their biases and motivations?
    What evidence supports this claim?
      - Is it reliable and credible?
    Are there other perspectives or explanations?
      - There is always another view, consider it.
    Do my beliefs influence my judgment?
      - Always check because it is instinctive to apply our own beliefs first.
  2. Open your horizon and look at other sources. Get out of your box. Seek out information from different sources, even if they contradict your initial beliefs. Expose yourself to opposing viewpoints and consider their validity.
  3. Evaluate Evidence. Not all information is true. Learn to distinguish credible sources from unreliable ones. Consider the evidence and assess its strength and relevance.
  4. Facts over assumptions, emotions, traditions, and culture!
    • Assumption: “I know it this way” does not make it true.
    • Emotion: “I really want it this way” does not change the facts.
    • Tradition: “It was always like this” does not make it true.
    • Culture: “In our culture, it is this way ...” is not the real world!
  5. If you don’t like the answer, don’t ignore it. Look again to understand. There may be another answer. Compare and evaluate their pros and cons. Be open to creative and unconventional approaches.
  6. Be curious! Ask questions, explore new ideas, and challenge yourself to learn something new every day.

References good to read:

  1. What is Critical Thinking? - University of Louisville
  2. Critical thinking - Wikipedia
  3. Critical Thinking Skills - SkillsYouNeed