# Critical Thinking

> Critical Thinking

- Skill: `sethdford/critical-thinking` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sethdford/critical-thinking`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sethdford/critical-thinking/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: sethdford (https://skillmd.com/u/sethdford)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sethdford/critical-thinking

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# Critical Thinking

Map claims to reasons and evidence; surface what is assumed versus demonstrated. Prefer clear structure over rhetorical force, and treat strong objections as data, not noise.

## When to Use
- Reviewing plans, specs, research summaries, debates, or any recommendation where stakes or uncertainty are high.

## Workflow
1. State the core claim in one neutral sentence.
2. Map supporting arguments (premises → conclusion); note gaps or missing links.
3. List hidden assumptions; mark which are empirical vs. definitional vs. value-based.
4. Rate evidence quality: primary sources and direct measurement beat secondary synthesis; anecdotes and authority alone are weakest.
5. Scan for common fallacies (straw man, false dichotomy, appeal to authority, hasty generalization, etc.).
6. Steel-man the strongest opposing view; compare to your best case fairly.
7. Synthesize judgment: what is warranted, what remains unknown, and what would change the verdict.

## Examples
**Example 1:** “We must rewrite in Rust”: map to performance/safety claims; demand benchmarks and migration cost evidence, not slogans.

**Example 2:** Vendor pitch: separate demo from proof; ask for independent validation and failure modes, not only success stories.