Why is critical thinking important in science?

Critical thinking is important in all aspects of life. It is critical to science because science only progresses, in the simplest terms, by uncovering the patterns underlying the materials and processes of nature. Loosely speaking, critical thinking requires one to drop biases, prejudices and assumptions for the simple reason that these can all lead one to the wrong conclusion.

The scientific method: Hypothesis to Experiments to Data to Theory requires the clearest thinking and the recognition of underlying assumptions. In other Words, critical thinking.