Is critical thinking the same as logic?

No. Logic is part of critical thinking, and critical thinking is broader.

Logic helps us judge whether our reasons support a conclusion. Critical thinking uses logic alongside checking evidence, questioning assumptions and considering alternatives.

Imagine an ad for a fictional drink makes this argument:

1. Better concentration improves your marks.
2. FocusMax improves your concentration.
3. Therefore, FocusMax will improve your marks.

The conclusion follows if both starting claims are true. That makes the argument valid, but we still need evidence that its starting claims are true.

A critical thinker also asks:

• Where is the evidence? Has the drink been tested, or is this just the company's claim?
• What assumptions are being made? Does better concentration necessarily lead to better marks?
• Could something else explain higher marks? If students who drink it score better, what else might they be doing differently? Were their scores already higher before they started drinking it?
• What would change my mind? What findings would make me more or less confident that the drink works?

These questions help you decide how much confidence to place in the ad and whether to act on it.

Key takeaway: Logic helps you assess the reasoning. Critical thinking also examines the evidence and the wider situation to decide what to believe or do.