How do asumptions relate to the process of critical thinking?

Answer 1

We all have assumptions and they steer our initial reactions and thinking. In critical thinkins someone challenges our assumptions and it is up to them to convince us that our assumptions are false and need to be rethought. People assumed the earth was flat and if you sailed to the end of it, you fell off the earth , which made sense that the earth was there as far as you could see. Columbus challenged that assumption and set out to prove it was wrong. In his critical thinking he noted that the horizon changes and that is was not completely linear.

Answer 2

They can do two things:
Assumptions can undermine the entire process of critical thinking.
OR
they can give critical thinking a starting point from which to begin your critique.

Answer 3

They undermine it. I like the geometric method, where any axiom (which acts as an assumption underpinning the argument) is provable. The value of critical thinking lies in the question/s we ask; and the most rewarding question usually challenges an assumption.

Answer 4

Critical thinking takes that reality is not limited to that which is, and that we should actively engage in thinking that which "should be".

The idea of that which should be, must be based on certain assumptions.

Trying to think without assumptions can only provide an uncritical, descriptive, picture of reality.