1. Critical Thinking – a way of thinking — about any subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it.

2. Critical thinking is a conscious method of thinking in which one holds one’s thought process to a higher standard that is rigorous and mindful in its inquiry and the conclusions one draws.

3. True critical thinking is: Self-directed - YOU are the one initiating and pursuing your chain of thoughts and inquiry Self-disciplined - YOU are establishing the perimeters (rigorous acceptable limits) for the questions you ask and what answers are acceptable Self-monitored – YOU maintain a vigilance over yourself in order to make sure that your inquiry in is not tainted by native egocentrism and sociocentrism. (our personal prejudice and presuppositions) Self-corrective – YOU adjust your thinking if necessary, as more information comes to light.

4. Plato’s Apology Things you should know: Plato's The Apology is an account of the speech Socrates makes at the trial in which he is charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens.

5. Plato’s Apology Things you should know: Plato's The Apology is an account of the speech Socrates makes at the trial in which he is charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens.

6. The speech Socrates gives is not an "apology" in our modern understanding of the word. The name of the dialogue derives from the Greek "apologia," which translates as a defense, or a speech made in defense. Thus, in The Apology, Socrates attempts to defend himself and his conduct--certainly not to apologize for it. Plato’s Apology Things you should know:

7. Recognizing his ignorance in most worldly affairs, Socrates concluded that he must be wiser than other men only in that he knows that he knows nothing. In order to spread this peculiar wisdom, Socrates explains that he considered it his duty to question supposed "wise" men and to expose their false wisdom as ignorance. These activities earned him much admiration amongst the youth of Athens, but much hatred and anger from the people he embarrassed. Plato’s Apology Things you should know:

8. Socrates likens himself to a gadfly stinging the lazy horse which is the Athenian state. Without him, Socrates claims, the state is liable to drift into a deep sleep, but through his influence--irritating as it may be to some-- it can be wakened into productive and virtuous action. Plato’s Apology Things you should know:

9. Socrates is found guilty he rejects prison and exile, offering perhaps instead to pay a fine. When the jury rejects his suggestion and sentences him to death, Socrates stoically accepts the verdict with the observation that no one but the gods know what happens after death and so it would be foolish to fear what one does not know.

10. Can you think of any other person in history or currently living whom a government has been unhappy with because of what they said or wrote?