Critical Thinking, "A Lost Art" and Why It is So Important Today

The "Thinker"

https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/a-brief-history-of-the-idea-of-critical-thinking/408

What do Plato, Socrates and Aristotle have in common and what is critical thinking?   It is a way to think through problems without succumbing to pressure, without overreacting; the ability to think through something rationally, without letting emotions or personal opinions cloud your judgement.

Why do we not hear anything about critical thinking today and why is it so important?    Critical thinking is something that has lost it luster because, politically, its far reaching and positive effects on the individual would not be tolerated by certain groups as it would provide a new level of independence and nourishment for the soul and mind; a growing, sustainable platform for those who wish to start thinking on their own, instead of being misdirected by opportunists and others wishing only to subjugate them to one way of thinking and miring them down in group think.    

Without the individual and his or her ability to think critically and rationally, violence and war will always be the end game to any positive solution; anarchists, bullies, politicians and other malcontents who use deception, lies, violence and intimidation as a means of drowning out the opposition who  stand in their way of furthering their nefarious goals will almost instantly, be recognized for the abhorrent characters they are, systematically outed and pigeonholed.

Is critical thinking something we learn on our own or is it taught?   Critical thinking is something we all are capable of learning but without the help, guidance and expertise of others, is, at first, difficult to grasp.      

Do public schools, colleges and universities believe critical thinking is an important tool and something students need to become aware of, familiar with and know?  Is critical thinking being taught to students today?  

https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/the-state-of-critical-thinking-today/523

Some examples of those who use critical thinking today:   
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas; Thomas Sowell, journalist; John Stossel, Libertarian; Walter Williams, Economist; Charles Krauthamer, Journalist.

Why is critical thinking so important today?

Critical thinking is something that is rare in government today.  It helps us calmly and purposefully sort through a minutiae of facts and assorted information in order to arrive at reasonable and healthy decisions.   Critical thinking is essential for learning how to take a test successfully, speech writing, and making life decisions.  Critical thinking is not part of fake news or group think, but, rather, the very absence and opposite of it.

Fake news uses no critical thinking, no logic, requires no in depth investigation, assimilation and taking the time necessary to sort through relevant data, separating fact from fiction, but rather relies on emotions, fear mongering, gossip, innuendoes and lies. 

https://www.criticalthinking.com/articles/teaching-critical-thinking-skills