Dear Reader,

Critical thinking is a crucial skill, if not the essential skill, for navigating the complexities of life and learning, but what does it indeed involve? How would you describe the basis of the skill?

At its essence, maybe with some simplification, I believe critical thinking hinges on two very different yet complementary emotional mindsets—diametrical opposites—that we must learn to adopt. Let me introduce these mindsets.

What are the facts? Again and again and again—what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what “the stars foretell,” avoid opinion, care not what the neighbours think, never mind the unguessable “verdict of history”—what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!

Time Enough for Love – Robert A. Heinlein

“What kind of nonsense is this person trying to sell me? Are they intentionally misleading me or simply mistaken? Are there inexact facts or plain lies in their words? Let me find counter-arguments or counter-facts and expose the flaws!”

This mindset is about challenging the information presented to us. It’s a defensive stance—a mental shield that says, I refuse to be deceived. It requires sharp analysis, logical reasoning, and a willingness to dismantle arguments that do not hold up under scrutiny furiously. We actively look for inconsistencies, errors, and evidence contradicting the claims. What drives this mindset is a healthy degree of skepticism and even a touch of rebelliousness, which pushes us to dig deeper and question everything rather than passively accept what we are told.

And, in case you guessed it, yes, this mindset that gets you emarginated at parties and is what makes some kids ultra-annoying!

I’m not interested in feeling intelligent by listening to idiot talk. I’d rather feel like an idiot listening to a sublime person speaking.

Franco Battiato

“Why am I having difficulty grasping the brilliance that this person is trying to convey? Is there something essential I’m missing? I need to make a greater effort to understand—perhaps I need to ask more and better questions.”

The second mindset emphasizes humility. It involves recognizing that we don’t have all the answers and that the speaker or author might possess insights we have not yet fully grasped. This mindset encourages patience, curiosity, and a willingness to consider that there could be value we’re overlooking. It requires an open mind and an assumption that brilliance might be there, even if it’s not immediately apparent. This mindset is about learning, digging deeper, and connecting dots that were previously outside our perspective.

…the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

The real challenge lies in employing both of these mindsets simultaneously. When we engage with information, we must allow the skeptic and the admirer to coexist. Falling into the trap of either extreme—being excessively skeptical to the point of cynicism or overly admiring to the point of gullibility—limits our ability to think critically. True critical thinking arises from the dynamic interplay between these two perspectives. The balance between these mindsets ensures a comprehensive approach to critical thinking.

The skeptic ensures we do not fall victim to misinformation, while the admirer helps us appreciate insights that might initially escape us. Together, these mindsets refine our understanding of the world, allowing us to both defend against deception and unlock hidden values. When these two approaches interact, they enhance our ability to discern truth from falsehood and brilliance from error.

Remember: critical thinking is a skill; you improve by practising repeatedly!

Until the next time you encounter an idea, ask yourself: Can I find the mistake and move beyond it, or can I learn something and progress? Either case, you will grow.

Don’t wait to practice: let me know in the comments if I made mistakes in this post or if I tried to fool you!