Critical thinking is an important aspect of the cognitive abilities that contribute to success in modern societies, but it is often in short supply. Every year, uncritical thinking causes millions of people to lose billions of dollars on everything from bogus health cures and get-rich-quick investment schemes to supposedly scientific matchmaking services and false billing notices. In the absence of critical thinking, jurors may be swayed by unreliable evidence to reach flawed verdicts and people with psychological problems may reject empirically supported treatments in favor of those that are novel and dramatic, but whose safety and effectiveness are unproven. These trends are due in part to the fact that scientific, logical thinking is neither instinctive nor easy. Fortunately, it can be taught, but in today’s academic culture, efforts to do so can have negative consequences ranging from student protests and vilification on social media to administrative discipline or termination. This chapter describes some of the challenges faced by professors in higher education who would ask students to think critically, especially about controversial topics. Examples from psychology courses are presented, followed by suggestions designed to help instructors in any discipline teach critical thinking while avoiding tripwires in the academic minefield in which they may find themselves.