Well, I guess I need to ask you this; what is your definition of critical thinking? I'm definitely agreeing with you on a certain level here.
The ability to think for one's self, of course.
Okay, j/k.
At a minimum: the ability to analyze logically and rationally without presuming/conidering a pre-existing self-serving desired end point. Let the evidence lead one to a conclusion and not the other way around.