Well it goes without saying that it is critical to think. Have you ever tried not to?
I don't mean have you tried to meditate. We all know that even during meditation, you're thinking. It's a critical part of being.
But that's not what is meant by critical thinking, is it? It's a concept about a certain type of thinking. It's more high brow. It's educated, academic even. It's something you can be taught to do.
Critical thinking involves analysis of facts. It involves thinking about complex topics. It involves judgement.
At its heart though, critical thinking is about asking questions. It's about diving deep into a topic and turning it on its head if necessary. Great philosophers are critical thinkers.
And I've found the greatest philosophers of our time are...
Children.
They are amazing at taking something you think you know about and turning it on its head. They are amazing at asking curveball questions. They are amazing at seeing from a completely new perspective and opening up windows where before there were only walls.
Have you ever considered what a group of 5-year-olds would think about war? If you put it to them that two countries only answer to their problems was violence, do you think they might have some new ideas on the subject?
It's interesting that when a child is young one of their favourite words - or so it seems - is 'WHY?'
Being a critical thinker isn't high-brow at all. It doesn't need to be taught.
It is allowing yourself to become as inquisitive as a child.
To wonder.
And when you wonder fully you see the wonderful world and all its possibilities.