Critical Thinking – Basic Notes
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly, logically, and independently before accepting or reacting to any information. It means not believing everything at face value, but instead asking questions like “Is this true?” “What is the evidence?” “Is there another perspective?” In today’s fast-moving world where news, social media posts, and opinions spread within seconds critical thinking acts like a mental filter. It helps a person separate facts from assumptions, truth from rumors, and logic from emotional influence. A critical thinker observes carefully, analyzes deeply, and makes decisions based on reasoning rather than pressure or bias. At a basic level, critical thinking starts with curiosity. When we become curious, we naturally begin to question and explore. The next step is analysis breaking information into parts to understand it better. Then comes evaluation, where we judge the reliability of sources and the strength of arguments. Finally, we reach conclusion and reflection, where we decide what to believe or do, and later review whether our thinking was sound. This process improves problem-solving skills, communication, and decision-making in both personal and professional life. Now let me know which area you are applying these critical thinking skills???