We consider critical thinking not only as a tool for working with information external to the individual, but as an essential element of self-awareness by a person of his uniqueness and as a tool for ensuring personal security and preserving integrity. To construct theoretical proofs of the validity of such an interpretation of the function of critical thinking, we used as a basis the analysis of the interaction of a modern person with the BANI-world: what challenges it puts forward and what potential it holds, as well as how it can contribute to personal growth and the development of civilization as a whole. Interconnected with each other awareness and autonomy, as well as critical thinking are important elements of personality. We study in detail the concepts of “awareness” (inclusion in the actual world, built on the principle of “here and now”) and “autonomy” (the ability to maintain the integrity of one's own personality, to build and defend adequate boundaries between oneself, the world and other people) in psychology and pedagogy. The revealed connections confirm the importance of these personality traits for a modern person in the BANI-world. We consider an alternative direction of studying critical thinking, awareness and autonomy of a modern person as necessary elements of preservation, formation and development of modern personality and civilization