The article, an excerpt from the book "Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking," written by Vincent Ruggiero, introduces readers to the concept and practice of critical thinking. It explains that critical thinking is an inquiry-based method for finding answers, contrasting it with reliance on subjective feelings, which often lead to errors. The text identifies three common pitfalls in thinking: egocentricity, attacking the critic, and unfounded assumptions, illustrating them with examples. Finally, the source outlines six strategies for cultivating critical thinking, including self-awareness, keen observation, focused inquiry, forming judgments, and persuading others with well-reasoned arguments, emphasizing that these techniques can be applied to complex issues like juvenile crime.