During the critical thinking process the thinker will use all of these components, evaluating the implications and consequences of each, until they reach a satisfactory answer. In order to reach a conclusion using critical thinking, one must hold off making judgment until all available facts are given and fully evaluated. However, the very nature of the critical thinking process means that there is no end to the critical thinking process. Although one may end at a conclusion, this conclusion is only tentative based on the evidence used in the evaluation that led to that particular conclusion. However, a conclusion is always subject to new information and evidence, thus the critical thinking process goes on.

Each of will employ the methods of critical thinking on a regular basis. Often times we find ourselves using critical thinking when we are presented with a situation where our perception of reality is far from actual reality. In order to get ourselves over this hump and be able to make sense out of the situation, one needs to use critical thinking to come to a conclusion as to which reality is right. For example, you grow up in a family who has for generations believed in X. However, later in life when...

Belief Y contradicts belief X, yet many people and evidence support the truth of belief Y. Thus, you have to overcome your personal biases in order to accurately, fairly, and critically evaluate the situation to discover the differences between the two beliefs and reach a conclusion as to what the reality of the situation really is.
Without critical thinking skills an individual would not be able to overcome personal biases and adapt to new information and ideas. The result would be either not evolving at all in ones belief system or to evolve by taking other ideas as being true simply because someone says so. In order to have an intelligent society capable of making important decisions, everyone must have the capability to logically think through questions. This process of logic is critical thinking.

Bibliography

Damer, T. Edward. (2005): Attacking Faulty Reasoning. New York: Wadsworth.

Fisher, Alec. (2001): Critical Thinking. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Paul, Richard and Linda Elder. (2002): Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life. New York: Prentice Hall.