This literature review will examine the emergence of critical thinking in history and its impact on education. Early work on critical thinking and methods of teaching critical thinking will be reviewed as well as the modern use of critical thinking. Finally, this article will examine the benefits of critical thinking in the classroom.Purpose of Critical ThinkingDr. Richard Paul (2006) defines critical thinking as “the disciplined art of ensuring that you use the best thinking of which you are capable in any set of circumstances.” Essentially, it’s about using the best information available to make the best decisions possible. Critical thinking relies on a person's ability to ask questions about a given topic or situation and to critique the answers generated by those questions. This may lead to questions based on previous questions. These should result in a deeper understanding of the topic or situation in question. At the very least, we realize that they need more information before they can make the right decision. If critical thinking is exercised correctly, the thinker criticizes his own thoughts at all times, deciding whether they are fair and appropriate. This requires intellectual humility and discipline that develops over time and with practice (Paul 2006). History of Critical Thinking More than 2,500 years ago, Socrates challenged the intellectuals of his time through a series of questions that ultimately explored the depth and logic of their ideas. This probing questioning often revealed that many public speakers were smooth talkers with superficial ideas, inadequate evidence, and contradictory ideas (Paul, 1997). Socrates believed that one cannot simply take the word of those in authority to ...... middle of paper ......vation. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, 9(2), 823-848.Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking: discover the tools used by the best thinkers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Crenshaw, P. (2011). Producing intellectual work in the classroom: using a critical thinking model to help students take control of their thinking. Journal Of College Teaching & Learning, 8(7), 13-26.King, A. (1994). Inquiry as a critical thinking tool. Changing university classrooms: New teaching and learning strategies for an increasingly complex world (pp. 13-38). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Paul, R., Elder, L. and Bartell, T. (1997). Preparing California teachers to teach critical thinking: Research findings and policy recommendations. Sacramento, California: Commission on Teacher Credentialing, State of California.