The most essential critical thinking skill for citizens?

 I believe that there is one verb that describes the mission of universities (think) and that teaching a discipline means teachings students how to think in accord with that discipline.

But, what about high school? What are the key critical thinking skills that all students should learn? In particular, what is needed they can become engaged citizens who play a constructive role in a democracy.

I wonder if the most essential skill is to be able to consider an issue and critically evaluate different perspectives on the issue. Consider issues that are often topics of public debate (and acrimony): taxation, immigration, government regulation, freedom of speech, funding health care, covid lockdowns, capitalism, socialism, ... 

These are all complex issues and there is a wide range of perspectives on each of them. First, a student (citizen) should be able to acknowledge the existence of different perspectives. Second, objectively identify (or at least understand) the essential content of the different perspectives. Third, identify (or at least understand) the strengths and weaknesses of each of the perspectives, including acknowledging the level of evidence including its uncertainty. Fourth, compare and contrast these strengths and weaknesses. Fifth, be able to make the case for the perspective they may prefer. This may be too ambitious. But, it is a desirable goal.

I should point out that I am not at all proposing something postmodern/relativist along the lines of "all views are equally valid" or that "all views should get equal air time." Rather, such exercises and skills should lead to the ability to see why extremist and crackpot views should not get the attention or credibility that too often they do.

How does one achieve this? A concrete example is provided by an Indian newspaper presents opinion columns with Left, Right, and Centre views on specific issues.

There is a related but distinct skill that all citizens should desirably have, empathy, i.e. the ability to put oneself in the shoes of another (their context, background, and life experience) and see why they hold the views they do. This is more of an emotional skill, rather than an intellectual one. This skill enables one to understand and communicate better with those who have wildly different views than our own.

What do you think? What critical thinking skills do think should be promoted? What is realistic?

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