Critical thinking is an essential component of the humanities

I didn't learn critical thinking in university physics courses, I learned it in high school English.

On the importance of humanities classes in developing a healthy level of skepticism :

"English education covered something that science did not : understanding what articles really mean, and what their intended effect is. When hearing someone expound the latest scientific theory, understanding if and how you're being manipulated is every bit as critical as understanding what the evidence itself suggests. That's something science classes never cover.Being able to analyse a poem isn't the point - the point is you're taught to analyse meaning and assess implication. Or, in its simplest form, not to take things at face value."

As for the cat, you'll have to read the article to understand that one.