Agatha Christies iconic murder mystery detective, Hercule Poirot, often explains that solving a murder is about using the little grey cells with method.

Focusing on both the answer and the question can lead to false conclusions.  Critical thinking is process based, that is focusing on the how, not the why or wherefore.

Unbiased Analysis

The key to critical thinking is drawing conclusions based on facts that can be defined objectively.

The classic murder mystery drama, of which Mrs. Christie is the grand dame, presents obvious circumstances that taken with a purely subjective perspective, lead to an incorrect conclusion.

These novels are of course entertainment but they are based on an invaluable phliosophy, follow a process rather than jump to conclusions.

The Greek Route

The term critical thinking is derived from the greek word kritikos (critic).  The foundation of critical thinking is the act of developing a critique.

That is, carefully examining the facts and  laying out the rationale for the conclusion that satisfies all the facts.  Filling in the gaps with assumptions or logical conclusions is not appropriate.

There is no Correct Answer

Philosophy is basically the practice of critical thinking.  The underlying principle of philosophy  is not to arrive at the conclusion but rather to define and explain the path you followed to reach a conclusion.

A friend of mine who studies many philosophical concepts noted that great philosophers can debate opposite conclusions equally well.

The talent is not so much as to arrive at the conclusion as it is to persuade others that it is the correct conclusion by describing the method by which it was obtained.