It is also important to keep in mind that we often tend to act in a way which is consistent with our individual experiences and biases.
Misunderstanding of truth
We should have a desire for knowledge and seeking the truth. That means being concerned with reasons for doing things, as well as with possible objections. Our goal should be to be well-informed and ready to challenge popular beliefs by asking questions. We should also be objective and honest even if our findings do not support our self-interest and preconceived opinions.
Aim for truth
People may make judgments based on unsubstantiated stereotypes or common beliefs which are not supported by any empirical evidence. By deploying critical thinking, we are able to distinguish facts from beliefs and then evaluate those facts.
If the truth doesn’t suit us, we may be tempted simply to ignore it or manipulate the facts to accommodate our own bias. Then relativistic thinking can take place, leading to the claim that the truth is subjective and only a matter of opinion.
Open-mindedness
Consideration of alternatives is something we should be ready to engage in. We need to tolerate divergent or conflicting views and treat different perspectives equally before we undertake an analysis and evaluation. We should not be afraid to consider other people's points of view as seriously as we consider our own. This is the conclusion of an article at psychologytoday.com. We should not display closed-mindedness but we can be sceptical as healthy scepticism is, of course, a valuable component of critical thinking.
-jk-