Cognitive biases are ways our brains can trick us into making bad decisions. They make us see things in a way that's not always logical. Studies show that these biases affect about half of the choices we make, which shows how important they are in thinking clearly.

Common Cognitive Biases:

1. Confirmation Bias: This is when people look for information that agrees with what they already believe. Research shows that about 70% of people do this.

2. Anchoring Bias: This happens when we focus too much on the first piece of information we hear, which can lead to wrong judgments for about 85% of people.

3. Fundamental Attribution Error: This is when we pay too much attention to someone's personality and ignore the situation they're in. Studies suggest that around 62% of the time, people make this mistake.

Impact on Thinking:

• These biases can cause us to make choices based on feelings instead of logic.
• About 60% of people don’t even realize they can be influenced by cognitive biases, which can make their thinking even worse.
• In groups or teams, cognitive biases can slow down problem-solving by as much as 40%.

If we can spot these biases, we can improve our critical thinking skills. This will help us make better, more informed decisions. Knowing about and reducing the effects of cognitive biases is important for thinking clearly, whether in philosophy or everyday life.