Discipline, Questioning, Reasoning and Judjement are all important contributing factors to being a good Critical Thinker and for survival.
Some of these have become "naturally challenging" areas for all of us in modern society. We have an expectancy of safety and of our basic needs to be met. We are more and more inclined to seek instant gratification and less willing to put forth effort and practice discipline.
In many areas of life, and education is no exception, it's more about what we like and enjoy doing than it is about what's good for us and what brings results and adequate growth.
"It is interesting that politicians on both the national and state levels are constantly complaining that students are not graduating with problem solving skills. They say students of today cannot think critically and yet these politicians have passed a federal law that requires standardized testing of all students. " --> oh, yes! One might say that the passign of these laws is a sign of poor critical thinking.
