This is why the Sophistic view of knowledge as relative encourages critical thinking as opposed to the Platonic belief in a "transcendent truth" or absolute knowledge ("Plato" 81). Individuals who believe in absolute knowledge fully believe in the accuracy and infallibility of their perception of reality, so they lack any reason to doubt their beliefs. This absolutism view of human knowledge impairs critical thinking skills by discouraging individuals from questioning their beliefs or evaluating alternative perspectives.

In addition to a relativistic view of human knowledge, critical thinking depends on what Eble and Gaillet call "rhetorical literacy," the ability to assess a situation's audience, purpose, and context and to recognize "one's own ideological stance" (qtd. in Eble and Gaillet 350). For example, critical thinking involves identifying and questioning assumptions, which requires individuals to analyze sociocultural, political, and moral values and assumptions (Kienzler 320). Individuals who consider human knowledge limited and exercise rhetorical literacy will be the most able to evaluate claims. And although factors such as culture and religion influence critical thinking skills, the existence of a transcultural rationality makes critical thinking possible for anyone who can think.

Find out about the influence of critical thinking on moral development and ethical behavior.