Features of Critical Thinking:

All freedoms begins with freedom of thought

All knowledge begins with the practice of questioning. Question what you are
told or have been encouraged to believe. If it is false it will not stand up to scrutiny.
Questioning is how we come to know what is around us so we can protect ourselves
from deception. Questioning defines and names the human species. Questioning is the
basis of all understanding It is a natural thing for humans to do. Thus, be sceptical of
what you hear or are told to believe is true. Being sceptical or critical is not the same as
being cynical or pessimistic.
Look for contradictions in the way things work in our society: If we are
progressing as a society then why are there still so many social problems? If we have
continued economic growth year after year then why are more people poor in the
world today then ever before in human history?
Look for contradictions in logic - Examine the ways that people reason and look
for weaknesses and flaws in their argument. A bias is not necessarily a weakness. Every
argument has a bias to it. Look for evidence and proof of claims that are being made.
Understand that social issues are very complex and have more than one side.
That is why social issues are controversial. If violence is undesirable and seen as a form
of destruction then why is violence celebrated in our culture? How do we make sense of
such social contradictions?
Before you can dismiss or critically assess the argument of another you need to
fully understand what that argument is.
Understand that society is very complex - it has many parts and many levels
and varieties of institutions, people, cultures and belief systems. And thus there are
many social realities existing alongside one another.
Critical thinking involves familiarizing your self with the many points of view
on an issue and deciding on its merits, assessing its ethical validity. Does the view being
expressed support the ideal that human freedom should be maximized and domination
should be minimized?
One of the primary values and biases of critical thinking is that human life (and
the world of nature) is worth preserving and all social action should be oriented
towards the preservation of life, and not the promotion of death and domination.
Critical thinking can also be a personal guide to self-preservation. Have
insight into your own responsibility Be not led by others but by your own
conscience. You have to live with the consequences of your own decisions and actions in
life.