Why is Critical Thinking so Powerful?

Our ability to critically think is the most powerful strength that we possess. It has allowed us human beings to leave the protection of natural caves, to design and build homes, to make complex infrastructures and teach our young. We create beautiful artwork and write countless novels. We have the printing press, the telescope and the microchip. We build astounding land, air and sea vehicles. The quality of life we humans experience as a group exists in direct proportion to our brain power and how we use it.

Much thinking that people do is disorganized, biased, not thought through or forward looking, and hurried. In the absence of experience, reasoning, confidence and education (both formal and informal), people use feelings and intuition as guides to decision making. This often leads to flawed decisions and unwanted consequences in life. Feelings and intuition are critical parts of the thinking process. However, they must to be backed up with knowledge, experience and wisdom.
What are Critical Thinking Skills?

There are many definitions to critical thinking. That’s to be expected. Critical thinking encompasses much of what we do when using our brains.

Words like: reasoning, interpreting, observation and more are used to describe critical thinking. Phrases are also used. Some examples are: rational thinking, focused thinking, cognitive process, reflective thought and informed opinions. Other phrases such as: analyzing and evaluating information to derive a judgment are also used.

These are all good and descriptive words and phrases for critical thinking. However, let’s ask the $100,000 question:

“What useful things will critical thinking do for you?”

There are three answers to that question.

1. To make informed decisions — Making informed decisions is essential in your life. You have to decide on everything from where to have tomorrow’s lunch, to what career to pursue. The more you are able to tap into your experiences and knowledge the better your decisions are.

2. To understand — Your ability to comprehend is another essential element in your life. You are exposed to a wide array of information on television, the Internet books, magazines and people.
• Understanding leads to opinions and decision making. For example, by reading about, and comprehending the positions of two political opponents you are better equipped to make an informed decision on how to vote.

3. To create, invent and discover — The ability to create, invent, and discover are human traits that exist in all of us. We create beautiful art, writing, music and more. We invent things like the light bulb, the computer and rockets. We discover things like E= MC2, penicillin, and DNA.
• The ability to create, invent and discover all require decision making. It is an integral part of each process. There are decisions in choosing a project to pursue. Whatever you pursue there are decisions along the path.

The Common Thread:
Decision making is the common thread that weaves through the most useful things critical thinking will do for you. That is why critical thinking is defined as:

The ability to make and carry out informed decisions by efficiently utilizing your lifetime knowledge, experience, common sense, reasoning, intuition, feelings, and confidence.

Another key use of critical thinking skills is for understanding any worthwhile subject. And, critical thinking can be used to look “internally” and create an exciting future.

Critical thinking requires the use of self-discipline and self-examination. The rewards are great freedom and the ability to complete projects, achieve objectives and answer questions with confidence. When you take charge of your mind using critical thinking and make sound decisions, you take charge of your life!

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if you only try!”—Theodor Geisel (Dr. Suess)