Critical Thinking

Do we as a community and society still value critical thinking? Can it help us tell fact from fiction? Should we value it more? 

If we want to exercise critical thinking, we need to ask ourselves these questions whenever we discover or discuss new information.

WHO

• benefits from this?
• is this harmful to?
• makes decisions about this?
• is most directly affected?
• have you also heard discuss this? 
• would be the best person to consult?
• will be the key people in this?
• deserves recognition for this?

WHAT

• are the strengths/ weaknesses?
• is another perspective? 
• is another alternative?
• would be a counter-argument?
• is the best/worst case scenario?
• is most/least important?
• can we do to make a positive change?
• is getting in the way of our action?

WHERE

• would we see this in the real world?
• are there similar concepts/situations?
• is there the most need for this?
• in the world would this be a problem?
• can we get more information?
• do we go for help with this?
• will this idea take us?
• are the areas for improvements?

WHEN

• is this acceptable/unacceptable
• would this benefit our society?
• would this cause a problem?
• is the best time to take action?
• will we know we have succeeded?
• has this played a part in our history? 
• can we expect this to change?
• should we ask for help with this?

WHY

• is this a problem/challenge?
• is it relevant to me /others?
• is this the best/worst scenario?
• are people influenced by this?
• should people know about this?
• has it been this way for so long?
• have we allowed this to happen?
• is there a need for this today?

HOW

• is this similar to ...?
• does this disrupt things?
• do we know the truth about this?
• will we approach this safely?
• does this benefit us/others?
• does this harm us/others?
• do we see this in the future?
• can we change this for our good?

Indeed, the ability to change one's mind when confronted with new evidence or information, or better yet, the willingness to actively seek out opposing viewpoints, is an important quality needed to be successful in life.

We need to be willing to question our current view of reality. 

We need to regularly seek out counter-information.

We need to become aware of how we feel in the moment.

There is value in exposing ourselves to arguments that run counter to our current perspective. We need to acknowledge our own fallibility, seek out opposing information, and remain mindful of our emotions when evaluating evidence.