Critical thinking

Critical thinking is the process of analyzing available facts, evidence, observations, and arguments to make sound conclusions or informed choices. It involves recognizing underlying assumptions, providing justifications for ideas and actions, evaluating these justifications through comparisons with varying perspectives, and assessing their rationality and potential consequences.^[1] The goal of critical thinking is to form a judgment through the application of rational, skeptical, and unbiased analyses and evaluation.^[2] In modern times, the use of the phrase critical thinking can be traced to John Dewey, who used the phrase reflective thinking,^[3] which depends on the knowledge base of an individual; the excellence of critical thinking in which an individual can engage varies according to it.^[4] According to philosopher Richard W. Paul, critical thinking and analysis are competencies that can be learned or trained.^[5] The application of critical thinking includes self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective habits of the mind,^[6] as critical thinking is not a natural process; it must be induced, and ownership of the process must be taken for successful questioning and reasoning.^[4] Critical thinking presupposes a rigorous commitment to overcome egocentrism and sociocentrism,^[7] that leads to a mindful command of effective communication and problem solving.