The Advantages of Being A Critical Thinker

Here are several things that critical thinking can do for you:

1. Critical thinking helps overcome superficial thinking. It helps you see when you are relying on unsupported assumptions or opinions.
2. Critical thinking helps overcome thinking based solely on intuition.
3. Critical thinking produces rigorous and disciplined thinking.
4. Critical thinking helps individuals create questions.
5. Critical thinking helps individuals know when they need more information.
6. Critical thinking helps avoid unintended consequences.
7. Critical thinking supports problem-solving. It helps make sure you don't skip a step in the problem-solving process.
8. Critical thinking helps overcome biased thinking.
9. Critical thinking helps avoid mistakes by providing a method to evaluate (double-check) one's work.
10. Critical thinking helps an individual critique the work of others.
11. Critical thinking promotes deep thinking.
12. Critical thinking helps an individual see all sides of an argument.
13. Critical thinking helps individuals solve difficult problems.
14. Critical thinking helps individuals support their arguments.
15. Critical thinking helps individuals recognize how a problem is framed and overcome the framing effect.
16. Critical thinking helps thinkers recognize when selfish motives lie behind an argument. It helps thinkers recognize manipulation.
17. Critical thinking teaches students how to construct the law.
18. Critical thinking helps lawyers and judges deal with changes in the law.

E. Scott Fruehwald, Critical Thinking: An Essential Skill for Law Students, Lawyers, Law Professors, and Judges (2022)

(Scott Fruehwald)