Critical Thinking Is a Mental

Critical Thinking is a mental process that an individual goes through when analyzing and evaluating either a statement or a proposition that has been put forth as being true. By going through the process of critical thinking, the individual will use logic to reach a conclusion on the truth of the statement or proposition. Typically the individual will reflect upon the statements meaning, examine offered evidence and reasoning, compare with what the individual already knows, and thus reach a judgment of conclusion on the issue.

However, there is no set procedure to follow in critical thinking. Instead, the essence of being able to critically think is to reach a conclusion through logic instead of steps. Thus, critical thinking can be said to be based on concepts and principles as opposed a set out, step-by-step procedure. Since critical thinking is a free-form method of reaching a conclusion and is heavily dependent on the individual thinker's personal logic, critical thinking is subject to the influence of bias.

Although one cannot take bias out of the critical thinking process, its effect can be reduced or at least minimized. An essential part of being a critical thinker is having the ability to remove oneself from their biases and to see the question from a neutral point-of-view, thus giving one the ability to fairly evaluate all arguments offered. In a sense, this means that a critical thinker has intellectual empathy and humility, allowing them to see and understand all sides of an argument. To be able to successfully accomplish this, the individual thinker must be able not only to critically think about the question at hand, but simultaneously evaluate the truth of the statements of truth that they have already personally developed.

There are several essential concepts that are involved in true critical thinking. First, the purpose of the thinking must be established, or the goal for an outcome must be known in order to guide the rest of the process. Next, there is the question at issue or the problem, the answer to which is most often the goal of the thinking. In order to get from the problem to the goal, the thinker will utilize concepts, assumptions, information, interpretations and points-of-view. Concepts include theories, axioms, principles, models, laws and definitions. Information includes observations, personal experiences, data and facts. Interpretations include inferences, solutions and conclusions. Points-of-view include orientation, frame of reference and perspectives. During the critical thinking process the thinker will use all of these components, evaluating the implications and consequences of each, until they reach a satisfactory answer.

In order to reach a conclusion using critical thinking, one must hold off making judgment until all available facts are given and fully evaluated. However, the very nature of the critical thinking process means that there is no end to the critical thinking process. Although one may end at a conclusion, this conclusion is only tentative based on the evidence used in the evaluation that led to that particular conclusion. However, a conclusion is always subject to new information and evidence, thus the critical thinking process goes on.