critical thinking

[ krit-i-kuhl thing-king ]

noun

1. disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence:

   The questions are intended to develop your critical thinking.

Word History and Origins

Origin of critical thinking¹

First recorded in 1810–15

Example Sentences

In court, labelers could argue that they were just trying to give students choices, while encouraging critical thinking.

From The Daily Beast

For those in the movement, this means cultivating an attachment to Israel while fostering critical thinking.

From The Daily Beast

A little debate and critical thinking are good for everyone.

From The Daily Beast

But his timid foray into critical thinking brings swift and severe punishment.

From The Daily Beast

The shift is most evident in our schools, where critical thinking has replaced rote learning as the central goal of education.

From The Daily Beast

Ordinary propaganda, for instance, is quite ineffective on people trained in critical thinking.

From Project Gutenberg

So far as we conduct each of these processes in the light of the other, we get valid discovery or verified critical thinking.

From Project Gutenberg