Logic is thought that you have divorced from emotion and other non-rational biases. For instance, if you find that a beloved civic leader has been found embezzling money, you must look at the facts of the case against him rather than whatever feelings you may have about his place in your community. A critical thinker is self-reflective. Consider your position and the possibility that irrational biases may be influencing you. This practice will keep you honest and help to improve your critical thinking skills.
Paying close attention to detail is key for critical thinking. The smallest detail can end up having grave implications for you later. Sometimes even the most obvious detail can elude you because you take it for granted. Other details are more subtle. Analyzing every detail with a sharp, critical mind will ensure that you avoid difficulties.
Recognizing logical fallacies in your thinking and in the arguments of others is a vital skill for the critical thinker. Fallacies creep into thinking when you allow bias to cloud your judgment. You may attack a person rather than his argument, known as an ad hominem fallacy, or you might rush to judgment without thorough consideration. For instance, it might be tempting to negate a person's argument based on his past. You attack the person rather than his argument.
Basing your positions on facts rather than empty rhetoric is part of critical thinking. Empty rhetoric is often found in arguments that make an emotional appeal and an appeal to reason without any basis in fact or action. Someone may defend a former co-worker's illegal activities by claiming that her friend had never been known to be of ill character. The claim is based on years of experience and seems to have validity. Yet, upon further scrutiny, the co-worker had no knowledge of her friend's activities after work. Therefore, the claim doesn't hold much weight in light of facts related to the crime.
Divorce yourself from preconceived notions about an issue and be open to new ideas based on factual evidence. You may feel that a certain position is the correct one, but if evidence mounts to show that your position is incorrect, you must adjust your position. A critical thinker learns how to bend to the pressure of the truth over her biases. Facts can be manipulated. What we take to be a fact is not what we thought it was.