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.
The critical thinking class Day 1 & 2 helped to understand various types of biases that makes our opinion and also introduced to me the concept of system 1 and system 2 thinking. The discussion based on politics and astrology/ vastushastra also provided an opportunity to rethink on the existing beliefs and gave me some new perspective for the same. The movie Oppenheimer also helped to think critically in terms of ethical values. At times there is no black and white but the areas of your life are grey and opinions would vary on each and every persons perspective. Read more
If you practice critical thinking, you logically connect ideas, scrutinize and evaluate arguments, find inconsistencies and errors in your work and the work of others, solve complex problems and engage in reflection.
What I learnt from these two days were that I don’t allow myself to go to some pandit, baba to solve my problems, as only I am the person who can work on them but there are many people who are grappling with some beliefs like we can not do pooja during periods, Different communities have to follow only their religion, Only particular reason is showing the right path, and Follow the authorities blindly without thinking logically etc.Critical thinking helps to be more open-minded and think logically about religion and beliefs. I will surely be able to question myself whenever I might have to take any decision about my beliefs.
Critical thinking allows us to understand how we approach problems, analyze information, and make decisions. It allows us to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, and reach well-informed conclusions. In the two days of the class we learned how to gather unbiased information, evaluate it, generate possible solutions and choose the best solution. We are now more aware of biases. And that it is essential to question assumptions and claims, even if they align with our existing beliefs.
The movie allowed us to broaden our perspectives on importance of ethical decision making. Also how scientific research be subject to ethical constraints.
These 2 days of critical thinking were about confirmation bias, selective interpretation, and selective recall, as well as discussing ethics and morality in connection to scientific research after watching the movie Oppenheimer, it was an eye-opening and thought-provoking experience.
Confirmation bias, selective interpretation, and selective recall are cognitive biases that we all possess to some degree. Learning about these biases made me realize how our minds tend to favor information that confirms our preexisting beliefs and how we often interpret and remember information selectively, unconsciously filtering out conflicting or inconvenient facts. Understanding these biases is crucial in order to make more objective and rational decisions in both personal and professional settings.
The discussion surrounding the movie Oppenheimer and its connection to ethics and morality in scientific research was particularly impactful. The movie likely revolved around J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, and the ethical dilemmas he faced during his involvement in the Manhattan Project. Scientific advancements can bring great benefits to society, but they also raise ethical questions and moral considerations. Seeing how scientific research can have profound and far-reaching consequences, it becomes essential for researchers to uphold ethical standards and consider the broader implications of their work.
Overall, this life class session was a powerful reminder of the importance of critical thinking, self-awareness, and ethical considerations in all aspects of life, including the pursuit of knowledge and scientific research. This experience has underscored the significance of continuous learning and reflection, shaping me into a more responsible and thoughtful individual.
The two days of CT were very interesting where the idea of System 1 and System 2 were very insightful. Also thinking critically on different biases and how our prior knowledge influenced them.
The second day was a movie on Oppenheimer which was an interesting movie that helped us understand more about ethics.
Both the facilitators were very polite.