Critical thinking helps us achieve goals and find pathways through competing information. One can learn critical thinking and they can practice it as a skill. In my experience critical thinkers can do a few things that others may not be able to do.
1.) Look for alternative information and weigh its value.
2.) Understand alternative logic and follow it to a natural conclusion.
3.) Look into evidence to make evidence based decisions.
Let me give you an example of everyday philosophy at work. The other day I was conversing with a group on whether or not a social club(s) are open to other religions and types of people as long as they believe in a higher power (Someone else brought up the topic so it wasn't my deal. I avoid those conversations like the plague. Politics, religion and cocktails rarely turn out to be good conversations.). I had a pretty good understanding because I read the rules and agreed with those inclusive values.
The vast majority of people agreed that they are open to everyone under a few criteria (i.e belief in a higher power, doing good for the community, supporting democracy, treating people well, etc.). One person was sure they were correct and doubled down on the idea of my God is not the same as their Gods, only these people belong, so on and so forth. When probed the person understood very little of the other religions but emphatically questioned others knowledge. They had a special insight the rest of the people didn't have.
(Someone came to me after and said you are very truthful and handled the situation with tact. I could see from the nonverbal cues in the room that the people listening agreed. My response was something like I have seen a bigger world and the ugly and good it holds. I did not mention I was on the receiving end of hate before but I learned from that situation as well and the importance of supporting certain values. More importantly the type of people we pick to administrate our central values. Even a very religious person actively serving a religious flock agreed with me and you know they and their people are supporting essential truths. I was proud most present believed in their oaths and gained insight into the pain that creates divisions. That person is not a bad person, baring that opinion, a descent person but perhaps a little misguided on some things. They walked away with the subtle impression that people in general don't share those exclusive opinions. Things someone else told them they didn't critically examine. Democracy and freedom was strengthened in a micro way that moment.)
Alternatively, a few weeks ago I was discussing economics and ways to improve communities. We listened to each other and agreed on some things and disagreed on some things but ultimately participants adjusted their opinon based on new insight and perspectives. Everyone discussing seemed to share collaboratively their thoughts and adjust when a good point was made. We socially learned to hedge and further our individual knowledge. An additive process that led to some reasonable conclusions. (On that day democracy was also strengthened but in a different way.)
One led to a higher thought process and the other led to more insight into an individual but also more shared knowledge on why organizational oaths are important. I believe that it is helpful to think through things and learn. I like to see people of different opinions and backgrounds constructively building a better world. Where misinformation and rigid opinions exist there seems to be a lack of new knowledge. Where people are open and when respectful there is social development that leads to community improvement.
I question my own logic all the time and many times I'm just not sure because I don't have all the info and still need to make a judgement call. However, over the years I have become more sure on some things through experience and insight. One should develop the ability to be open to ideas before they can evaluate them correctly to come to a conclusion. Sometimes you can understand many sides to an argument and understanding isn't always agreement. It is the little things that count.
This article is a little interesting,
Predicting Everyday Critical Thinking: A Review of Critical Thinking Assessments
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