CRITICAL THINKING AND READING.

Critical thinking in my opinion is perhaps the most important academic skill, especially with regard to the social sciences. This is because critical thinking allows one to fully dissect and appreciate a particular argument, lecture, idea or essay.  Dissecting the topic in such a way as to form a fully reasoned, logical and balanced opinion, after evaluating all aspects of the argument.
Critical thinking has always been at the forefront of human development, particularly in the areas of philosophy, psychology, politics and religion.

The great minds of any generation, whether it be: Plato, Marx, Freud et al, have all found their truths and ideas as a result of critical thinking and reading of with critical thinking we learn. contemporary and classics works.  Leading us to conclude things for ourselves after all evidence is given, as apposed to taking thing on face value..

Critical thinking and reading are not solely the property of the social sciences, however it forms the basis of experimental physics, chemistry and biology. Where a scientist compiles evidence and conducts countless experiments, the information subsequently gained is then scrupulously analysed. 

This is why I am, of the mind that critical thinking is a vital trait, as without critique, we as race would be simply subservient, accepting all at face value. It is critical thinking and reading that we learn.