critical thinking

This note last modified March 26, 2023

Intelligence is the ability to use assumptions and knowledge about the world to efficiently solve problems.

Critical thinking is questioning the assumptions you're presented with. Critical thinking is the ability to question existing thought-constructs.

You can come up with extremely “intelligent” arguments supporting the most heinous of things if you come in with nonsensical core assumptions. You need critical thinking to be able to analyze those assumption themselves, and realize that your arguments have no base to stand on.