Category: Critical Thinking

Session 1

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.

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

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