Uncritical

Uncritical is an adjective that describes the absence of critical judgment, skepticism, or scrutiny toward ideas, information, or beliefs. A person, argument, or approach can be described as uncritical if it accepts claims without evaluating evidence, logic, or source reliability. The term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting gullibility, credulity, or a failure to apply standards of inquiry. In other words, it implies a reluctance or refusal to question assumptions.

Etymology: The word uncritical is formed from the prefix un- plus critical, which derives from Latin criticus and Greek kritikos, with usage developing in English to denote a lack of critical assessment.

Usage and nuance: Uncritical reception is common in contexts where authority, tradition, or ideology is trusted, or where information is presented without challenge. It can describe a hostile or favorable stance, such as uncritical reverence for a movement or uncritical consumption of media. In academic and professional writing, the label is typically pejorative, signaling that evaluation or evidence was not applied. Some discussions distinguish between uncritical acceptance and a principled nonjudgment grounded in different standards or values, though the latter is often framed as a form of selective critical thinking.

Related terms: critical, skeptical, credulous, naive, unquestioning, uninquiring. The distinction between uncritical and critical thinking is central in debates about knowledge, persuasion, and information literacy.

See also: credulity, skepticism, critical thinking.