critical thinking

noun

1

: the act or practice of thinking critically (as by applying reason and questioning assumptions) in order to solve problems, evaluate information, discern biases, etc.

Today, what we call the Socratic method is a way of teaching that fosters critical thinking, in part by encouraging students to question their own unexamined beliefs, as well as the received wisdom of those around them.

—Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

2

: the set of skills, methods, etc. involved in critical thinking

Media literacy enlivens how our schools teach critical thinking by serving as a bridge between the classroom and the world in which our young people live most of their waking lives.

—Wally Bowen

Using the same skills used for centuries—analysis, synthesis, and evaluation—we must look at digital literacy as another realm within which to apply elements of critical thinking.

—Barbara Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne Flannigan

—sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun

Helping students develop critical-thinking skills and information literacy is one of the core missions of libraries everywhere.

—Nancy Pearl

Examples of critical thinking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What students can read in schools provides the foundation for their lives, whether critical thinking, empathy across difference, personal well-being or long-term success. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Amanda Lim: As a STEM professional, my career has been centered around critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration, all of which are essential skills for serving effectively on the school board. —Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2024

This approach ensures that while AI enhances education, the core of learning — critical thinking, creativity, and personal engagement — remains intact. —Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024

With information coming from a raft of disjointed and disconnected sources with lopsided levels of credibility, organizations and their employees need to foster a culture that rewards healthy skepticism and critical thinking skills for combating misinformation—and deleting or containing it. —Steve Durbin, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1