Category: Critical Thinking

This year it’s in July, Life classes, there it is, a moment to reflect, a moment to pause and think, thinking about how to think. So is that metacognition? Maybe.

We started these sessions by understanding system 1 and system 2 (our subconscious and conscious minds). We then had diverse opinions on various claims which were mind opening, thought provoking and really unintuitive.But I guess that is what critical thinking is about, hopefully as time passes this process also might be done by my system 1.

While using my system 2 to the words for the blog I can understand what cognitive load is.We also learnt about various biases and how they affect our rationality.

Then a movie was shown in which we could connect it with a few parallels from our own world on what limits us to explore more, what is true, what are inherited beliefs and how outside influences control our lives.

All in all I enjoyed it and am excited for day 3.

These two-day life class dedicated to the art—and challenge—of critical thinking. In this immersive experience, I explored how our minds work, how beliefs and facts get tangled, and how media and our environment subtly shape our reality. Here’s what I learned, and why it matters.
Unpacking Critical Thinking
At the heart of our sessions was the concept that critical thinking isn’t just a school skill—it’s essential for navigating the world. We started with the two systems of brain function:
• System 1: Fast, instinctual, and emotional thinking.
• System 2: Slow, deliberate, and logical thinking.
Understanding this helped me grasp why I sometimes respond to situations impulsively, while other times I analyze before acting. It’s a constant tug-of-war between intuition and reasoning.
Belief, Opinion, or Fact: Untangling the Web
One illuminating activity involved examining different statements and learning how to distinguish between beliefs (deep-seated convictions), opinions (personal judgments), and facts (statements verifiable with evidence).
• Beliefs often shape how we see the world, but may not be supported by facts.
• Opinions are expressions of personal feelings or thoughts, open to debate.
• Facts can be checked and proven true or false.
This clarity empowered me to better assess what I hear in daily life—on social media, in the news, or from friends.

Critical Thinking Through Film: “The Truman Show”
On the second day, our class watched “The Truman Show,” a film where the main character, Truman, lives his entire life on a scripted TV set, oblivious to the artificiality of his world. Through group discussion, we analyzed how Truman’s reality was shaped by the things around him: his fears, the comfort of routine, and powerful conditioning by authority figures.
This sparked a larger conversation: Are we too living in invisible bubbles shaped by similar forces? It was unsettling but eye-opening. I realized that our fears can keep us from asking hard questions, while comfort zones can stop us from challenging the status quo. Social conditioning, much like in the movie, is everywhere—the rules we inherit, the biases we adopt, the media we consume.
Connecting to Everyday Life
The biggest takeaway: Critical thinking is about questioning the reality presented to us. Whether it’s a belief I hold, an opinion I hear, or a “fact” from the internet, it’s important to ask:
• Is this really true?
• What evidence supports this?
• Who benefits if I believe this?
• Am I acting out of fear or for my own comfort?
Final Thoughts
This class not only made me more aware of these mental traps, but also gave me practical tools for living more thoughtfully. Like Truman, maybe we all need to look for the exit door—and be brave enough to step through it.

In our daily lives, we often face decisions that seem straightforward at first glance, but when we take a moment to think deeply, we realize that these choices come with layers of complexities. This is where critical thinking plays a vital role. Throughout my critical thinking class, I’ve learned that the ability to carefully evaluate, analyze, and make decisions isn’t just reserved for academic problems. It’s a skill that carries over into real-world situations, especially when personal, moral, and ethical dilemmas arise.

Critical thinking is much more than just problem-solving—it’s about taking a step back, looking at the bigger picture, and questioning assumptions. It involves a systematic evaluation of all available information, weighing the pros and cons, and considering long-term consequences. For instance, when faced with a decision, critical thinking requires asking: What do I know? What are my biases? What are the potential outcomes of my choice?

What I’ve Learned in Critical Thinking Class

Reflecting on my experiences in the critical thinking class, here are some key takeaways that have shaped my approach to decision-making:

1. Questioning Assumptions: I learned that our initial reactions are often shaped by biases or assumptions. By pausing and questioning the basis of our beliefs, we open the door to new possibilities and solutions.
2. Considering Multiple Perspectives: One of the most valuable lessons was learning to look at a situation from different viewpoints. This doesn’t just involve listening to others but actively engaging with their reasoning. It’s about understanding the why behind different opinions, which helps build empathy and makes us better decision-makers.
3. Evaluating Evidence: Critical thinking isn’t just about opinions; it’s about evidence. Whether you’re evaluating news, arguments, or decisions at work, it’s crucial to ask, “What’s the evidence to support this claim?” This is where fact-checking and logical reasoning come into play, ensuring that decisions are made based on facts, not emotions or assumptions.
4. Making Informed Decisions: Critical thinking has taught me that decisions should be based on logic, reasoning, and available evidence rather than impulse or convenience. In fact, the more we practice thinking critically, the more we can avoid poor decisions driven by biases or faulty logic.
5. Understanding the Consequences: Every decision we make has consequences—some immediate and others that unfold over time. Critical thinking pushes us to anticipate potential outcomes and weigh the long-term impact of our actions, both on ourselves and on others.

Real-World Application of Critical Thinking

The lessons from the class aren’t just theoretical. They can be applied in everyday situations—whether it’s resolving a dispute with a colleague, deciding how to invest time and resources into a project, or even making personal choices about relationships. Critical thinking helps you assess the pros and cons, consider your personal values, and evaluate the long-term impact of each choice.Critical thinking is not just a classroom skill; it’s a lifelong practice that influences the decisions we make and the way we view the world. It challenges us to be more thoughtful, reflective, and aware of the impact of our choices. Whether we’re navigating moral dilemmas, conflicts, or everyday decisions, critical thinking enables us to approach situations with clarity and confidence. The lessons I’ve learned in critical thinking class have fundamentally changed the way I make decisions—helping me to consider multiple perspectives, analyze evidence, and choose actions that are not just logical, but also ethically sound. It’s a process that will continue to guide me, ensuring that I make more informed, balanced, and responsible decisions in all aspects of my life.

IN day 7 critical thinking class we undersatnd about The Trolley Problem: A Simple Guide to Thinking EthicallyHave you ever faced a tough choice where no option seems entirely right? The trolley problem is a famous thought experiment that challenges how we make moral decisions. by Trolley problem we understand sometimes it isn’t easy to decide what is ethically right.There are different ways to face ethical dilemmas People approach this dilemma in different ways
Moral Reasoning: The process of thinking through right and wrong in a situation.
Moral Relativism: The idea that morality depends on cultural or individual perspectives.
Self-Interest Theory: Suggests that people make moral choices based on personal benefit.
Deontology: Focuses on following moral rules and duties, regardless of consequences.
Utilitarianism: Aims to maximize overall happiness by choosing the action with the best outcome.
Rule Utilitarianism: This approach focuses on following rules that lead to the greatest good instead of judging individual actions.
my learning from day 7 class was-
Understand different ethical viewpoints.
Think more critically about consequences.
Recognize our personal biases.
Make more informed moral decisions.

जीवन कठिन निर्णयों से भरा है, किसी की भावनाओं की रक्षा के लिए एक छोटा सा झूठ बोलने से लेकर लाभ और पर्यावरणीय प्रभाव को संतुलित करने तक.नैतिक सिद्धांत हमें इन दुविधाओं से निपटने में मदद करते हैं. Moral relativism बताता है कि सही और गलत सांस्कृतिक मान्यताओं पर निर्भर करता है, जबकि self-interest theory का तर्क है कि लोग अपने लाभ के लिए कार्य करते हैं, हालांकि हमेशा स्वार्थी नहीं. Deontology का तर्क है कि लोग following strict rules, सख्त नियमों के पालन पर जोर दिया जाता है, जबकि utilitarianism बहुसंख्यकों के लिए खुशी को अधिकतम करने पर ध्यान केंद्रित करता है. Rule utilitarianism ऐसे नियमों की वकालत करता है जो आम तौर पर सर्वोत्तम परिणामों की ओर ले जाते हैं। इन सिद्धांतों को समझना हमारी आलोचनात्मक सोच को बढ़ाता है, which gives us different perspectives देखने और निष्पक्ष, सूचित निर्णय लेने में मदद मिलती है.

We started with prioritizing our stand on our moral values where initially five scenarios were given to us which all of us found a little easy to do but things changed as soon as more 5 examples were added into the list which really made us self-introspect. We toggled a lot among these and took a while to make our list of priorities on moral values.
Then we were introduced to the trolley problem and were asked to read an article, both of them again challenged our previous selection of moral values and ethics.
We also discussed about the ethical dilemmas like moral reasoning, moral relativism, Deontology, Utilitarianism, and self utilitarianism where each one of us asked to define them, share real-life examples and the issues with each of these ethical dilemmas. We were also asked to share our opinions about a few cases where we found that an individual’s decision making was not only affected by the emotional parameter, but also by the cultural, societal, and regional parameters in play.
The session was thought provoking from the very beginning and kept on questioning about our moral values throughout but I think this entire practice was fruitful in making all of us more receptive and more openminded.

One of the biggest challenges I face is deciding when to rely on my emotional quotient (EQ) and when to tap into my critical thinking skills (CQ). As someone who is naturally empathetic, I often lean towards emotional responses in situations that require compassion and care. This can be a strength in my work as an educator where understanding others’ emotions and supporting them is key. However, there are moments where my emotional instincts may cloud my judgment, especially when I need to make objective decisions. The dilemma often arises between staying true to my emotions and considering what logic dictates. The process of strengthening my critical mindset is ongoing. It’s not about abandoning emotions but learning how to integrate them with logic. Living with a dual perspective of both emotional and critical thinking is not easy, but it’s a balance I am learning to navigate each day. While I excel at understanding and responding to emotions, I recognize the need to sharpen my critical thinking skills to make more informed, objective decisions. By continuing to explore this balance, I can build a life that not only honors my empathy but also empowers me to manage time, responsibilities, and personal growth with clarity and purpose.

The critical thinking workshop broadened my understanding of moral philosophy and ethical decision-making. We explored various ethical frameworks, including moral reasoning, moral relativism, utilitarianism, deontology, self-interest theory, and rule utilitarianism. Learning these different frameworks helped me analyze each situation more effectively, clearly identifying its ethical position before determining the appropriate course of action. The discussion on the trolley problem deepened my understanding of how ethical dilemmas shift depending on whether the person involved is a loved one or a stranger. I also noticed an overlap between multiple ethical frameworks in different scenarios. At times, I found myself questioning whether moral principles should be absolute or adaptable to cultural and situational contexts. This challenge forced me to critically examine my own biases and preconceptions.

One of my key takeaways from the session was the importance of justifying ethical decisions with clear reasoning rather than personal bias. The session equipped me with a structured approach to evaluating dilemmas by considering multiple perspectives before concluding. I aim to apply these critical thinking skills in professional and personal contexts, ensuring that my decisions are well-reasoned and ethically sound.