Critical is the analysis of facts to form a judgement. The subject is complex and several definitions exist. It is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. Critical thinking helps to analyse what to do and what to believe.

1. Critical Thinking
BY NIKHIL PRIYA AND PROF. D.S RAY

2. Meaning and Definition of Critical
Thinking
Critical thinking is the analysis of facts to form a judgment. The subject is complex, and several
different definitions exist, which generally include the rational, skeptical, unbiased analysis, or
evaluation of factual evidence. It is one of the life skills for personality development.
Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing,
applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by,
observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and
action.
Examples of Critical Thinking:
•A triage nurse analyzes the cases at hand and decides the order by which the patients should be
treated.
•A plumber evaluates the materials that would best suit a particular job.
•An attorney reviews evidence and devises a strategy to win a case or to decide whether to settle
out of court.

3. Why is critical thinking important?
Critical thinking is important in today’s world as it helps us to find solutions to complex problems.
Critical thinking is one of the qualities which a good leader must possess. Without this quality we can
never be a successful leader. Critical thinking also refers to thinking out of the box and using one’s
mindset to analyse a particular scenario.
Someone with critical thinking skills is able to do the following :
•understand the logical connections between ideas
•identify, construct and evaluate arguments
•detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning
•solve problems systematically
•identify the relevance and importance of ideas
•reflect on the justification of one's own beliefs and values

4. Continued…
Critical thinking is not a matter of accumulating information. A person with a good memory and
who knows a lot of facts is not necessarily good at critical thinking. A critical thinker is able to
deduce consequences from what he knows, and he knows how to make use of information to
solve problems, and to seek relevant sources of information to inform himself.
Critical thinking should not be confused with being argumentative or being critical of other
people. Although critical thinking skills can be used in exposing fallacies and bad reasoning,
critical thinking can also play an important role in cooperative reasoning and constructive tasks.
Critical thinking can help us acquire knowledge, improve our theories, and strengthen
arguments. We can use critical thinking to enhance work processes and improve social
institutions.

5. Benefits of critical thinking
1.It Encourages Curiosity. ...
2.It Enhances Creativity. ...
3.It Reinforces Problem-Solving Ability. ...
4.It's a Multi-Faceted Practice. ...
5.It Fosters Independence. ...
6.It's a Skill for Life, Not Just Learning. ...
7.10 Powerful Visual Storytelling Techniques to Remember.

6. How critical thinking can be used in the
workplace?
•Maintaining Effective Leadership. ...
•Teamwork Advancement. ...
•Time-Saving. ...
•Different Approaches to Problem Solving. ...
•Improved Communication. ...
•Discovery of Spin-offs. ...
•Resolution of Workplace Conflicts. ...
•Final Product.

7. Critical thinking in everyday life
Here are some positive examples of critical
thinking:
•A manager trying to be as objective as possible when settling a
dispute by summarizing the alternatives, with fairness to all sides to a
disagreement.
•A team of scientists working with great precision through a complex
experiment in an effort to gather and analyze data.
•A creative writer organizing ideas for the plot of a story and
attending to the complex motivations and personalities of the
fictional characters.
•A person running a small business trying to anticipate the possible
economic and human consequences of various ways to increase sales
or reduce costs.

8. Advantages of critical thinking
•Key For Career Success. Critical thinking is crucial for many career paths. ...
•Better Decision Making. ...
•Can Make You Happier! ...
•Form Well-Informed Opinions. ...
•Better Citizens. ...
•Improves Relationships. ...
•Promotes Curiosity. ...
•Allows For Creativity.

9. Disadvantages of critical thinking
•Time consuming gathering facts necessary to make a critical decision
•Sorting fact from fiction and consideration of each source of information
•Reduction in the impulsivity of doing anything before thinking critically about the
consequences of such actions

10. Qualities of a critical thinker
1) Observation
2) Curiosity
3) Objectivity
4) Introspection
5) Analytical Thinking
6) Identifying biases
7) Determining relevance
8) Inference
9) Compassion and Empathy
10) Humility

11. Thank you!
Nikhil Priya and Prof. D.S Ray