Now, I want to talk about our brain. 

In order to think critically, we need to be able to distinguish facts from opinions.

- A Fact is a statement which is supported by the weight of  available evidence. Example: Kangaroos carry their young in pouches.

- An Opinion is a statement which has some supporting evidence but in some respects is still uncertain. Example: Kangaroos are a pest for farmers.

A person may believe an opinion strongly, but it remains an opinion until the collection of substantial evidence shows it to be a fact. An opinion may be right or wrong – there is insufficient evidence to decide. With the gathering of further evidence the opinion may be verified ( then becoming a fact ) or disproved.

In order to think critically we need to be able to distinguish facts from opinions. It is not that we put aside opinions as being unreliable once we have identified them. Rather, b distinguishing an opinion from a fact, we recognize that the statement needs checking. We may seek more supporting evidence; we may look at the ‘credentials’ of the person voicing the opinion, or we may simply hold it with a query alongside, in our mind.