INTRODUCTION Critical thinking has been defined very thoroughly over thousands of years, but comparing many of these definitions shows that the emphasis changes on which characteristic is deemed most important for each individual. However the definition changes, the same three important principles are still included: skepticism, open-mindedness and objectivity. It is important for each individual to conclude their own definition of critical thinking to allow for a specific authenticity that equates to an individual's academic work. This essay will show that although the true meaning of critical thinking does not change, adapting a personal definition is vital to success in higher education and life skills. CRITICAL THINKING There are numerous definitions that explain the term "critical thinking". Socrates was among the first to develop critical thinking strategies. Socrates established the fact that one cannot depend on those in "authority" to have solid knowledge and intuition... He established the importance of seeking evidence, carefully examining reasoning and hypotheses, analyzing basic concepts, and identifying unfounded implications. only of what is said but also of what is done. (The Critical Thinking Community 2009 online) This early definition of critical thinking was crucial to the development and survival of scholars and philosophers of that time. In comparison, Paul and Elder (2002:119-122) direct students toward developing intellectual standards that include self-evaluation and the avoidance of bias by constantly questioning the importance and relevance of everything read , studied and listened to. Xander Hamilton-Reeves (2009 online) offers a more simplistic definition of "filtering information into......middle of paper...iver, New Jersey. Paul, R. 1990, "Critical Thinking: What Every Person Must Survive in a Rapidly Changing World,” Center for Critical Thinking and Moral Criticism. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://outopia.org/teach/resources/CritThink1.pdfScriven, M. & Paul, R. 1987 , 'A Working Definition of critical thinking', The Critical Thinking Community. Retrieved 18 May from http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/define_critical_thinking.cfmThe Critical Thinking Community 2009, '35 Dimensions of Critical Thinking', The Critical. Thinking Community. Retrieved May 22, 2010, from http://www.criticalthinking.org/page.cfm?PageID=466&CategoryID=63#261The Critical Thinking Community 2009, “A Brief History of the Idea of ​​Critical Thinking,” The Critical Thinking Community. Retrieved May 22, 2010, from http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/briefHistoryCT.cfm.