These two days of critical thinking life class has made me re-think of the way I’ve been evaluating things. It’s crucial to separate criticism from critical thinking. It has made me ponder about the reasons why we seek for confirmation biases.
The class was engaging as always. We had a fruitful discussion on the topics like astrology and politics which made us think critically. We got to know about how our Systems work. The movie planned very well connected to the main idea of CT which again made us think from all the perspectives. Overall it had been a great experience sharing and getting to know different perspectives on the topics we discussed.
Session 1
Reflecting on my critical thinking class and the utilization of System 1 and System 2 thinking, I have come to know the role each system plays in enhancing my critical thinking skills.By overcoming biases and developing metacognitive skills, I have become more adept at approaching complex problems and making more informed decisions. Moving forward, I am motivated to continue honing these thinking systems, knowing that they are invaluable tools in the pursuit of critical thinking excellence. Also thankyou for our faciltors for sharing their experience.
The critical thinking class was a major avenue for the understanding the biases that are happening around us. It showed us the ways of thinking and understading the world from different perspectives. You can see that there are going to be many different types of questions and situations that we are going to have and we will have to make choices at various level, some easy and some very difficult. We can use a few strategies to do this. We can understand that there are multiple systems of the brain. System 1 should be useful in understanding the situation in quicker manner where you have dealt with it before. And system 2 is where deeper thinking and understanding is required. We need to have judicious reasoning, understand different claims and eventually come to conclusions. Also all the research has to be done from multiple aspects not just a single aspect. You need data from all perspectives. Also you should be understanding the context of the data.
On day 2 we went to see openheimer the story of the person who made the A bomb and the repercussions of his decisions. Can I agree with what he did previously I might have been but if it would have been maybe not. The simple reason is I would not have had the same thing if the country had been India. 3 questions we discussed came to the conclusions that, ethical considerations are necessary in scientific research to limit the exploitation of animals and people and so we don’t lose our humanity, we can seperate the morality of a person than knowledge as the knowledge is for the whole world not just them as an individual, ethics are very important to making any decision because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
I learned about the 4 points to be kept in mind for critical thinking! I learned that it’s an intentional process. I learned about 2 models of thinking and how important both the systems are. I learned about confirmation bias and selective recall, interpretation and research. My most important takeaway is that Improving thinking skills needs to be practiced!
Critical Thinking is to stay objective, unbiased, have own filter to understand a problem or situation better… To consider impact of the decision is important in the process…not to ignore or being selective or blind towards information inorder to suit ones interest is not the right way of taking a decision….one may not have complete control over implementation of a decision or situation but choosing to critical think or concluding a point based on critical thinking is also enough… One needs to be aware about conformation bais while trying to gather information or POV of others…
Critical thinking is the ability to rethink about your own thinking process so as to make informed choices. Most of the times, our emotions overpower the ability to think critically and we fall under system 1. However, it lead to various repercussions to the relationship with the people. Hence, it is equally important to think critically from all the lenses before jumping to the conclusions. It also helps us in questioning the things that have been widely followed by people due to inherent opinion. After watching Oppenheimer, reflections on the human actions on society allowed us to think critically to understand all the perspectives that led to disaster.
The Day 1 and 2 of Critical Thinking Lifeclass was an engaging and insightful experience, starting with a fun and interactive meet and greet activity that instantly helped break the ice and set a positive tone for the session.
During the group activity, we delved deep into the concept of Critical Thinking and its practical applications. By exploring questions of who, what, why, how, and when, we connected this intellectual skill with our real-life experiences, which made the learning process more relatable and meaningful.
One of the most enlightening parts of the session was the introduction of the “System of Thinking” concept. We learned about the dichotomy between slow thinking, which involves analytical and deliberate evaluation, and fast thinking, which relies on intuitive and instinctive judgments. Understanding this distinction allowed us to grasp the significance of pausing to think critically rather than hastily accepting assumptions or biases.
Another crucial aspect we explored was the notion of confirmation bias. Through interactive discussions and thought-provoking exercises, we became acutely aware of the mental blocks and challenges we face when attempting to think critically. Recognizing these biases empowered us to confront them and encouraged a more open-minded approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
The second session began with a thought-provoking movie screening of “Opennhiemer,” which showcased how critical thinking is an integral part of various domains such as science, politics, ethics, and decision-making processes. The film’s portrayal of individuals using critical thinking to navigate complex situations left a lasting impact on all of us, highlighting the importance of cultivating this skill in all aspects of life.
Overall, the Critical Thinking Lifeclass was a transformative experience that not only taught me the theoretical foundations of critical thinking but also allowed us to apply it practically. The combination of interactive activities, insightful discussions, and a thought-provoking movie created a holistic learning environment that will undoubtedly continue to influence our approach to reasoning and problem-solving long after the Lifeclass has concluded
Group-Eta
In the first two days of CT Life classes I Firstly understood what actually Critical thinking is, the different biases and opinions and how they are different from facts. It also made me realise the importance of being ready with facts and stats when arguing about your beliefs.
The Critical thinking classes have kept us engaged in major topics like politics, beliefs, religion and Ethics related to science. The discussions on the same gave a different insight to my vision and understanding about the above mentioned topics.