Month: February 2025

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.

During day 7 and 8 of our Critical Thinking life class, we got a chance to explore how we make ethical decisions and justify our actions. The class started with an activity “Taking a stand” . We started by examining various statements with scenarios by ranking them according to our personal morals and ethics. This exercise highlighted how individual values and emotions influence our decisions and revealed how they can sometimes differ from others’ viewpoints.

Secondly we also learned about theories like Moral reasoning , Moral relativism, Self-interest theory, Deontology , Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism. These theories were applied in real-life scenarios and discussing their implications. It was intriguing to observe how many of us tend to make decisions based on self-interest and how our ethical choices shift depending on the situation. There were diverse opinions which fostered deeper understanding rather than disagreement. Listening to different perspectives on the same scenario expanded my thinking and demonstrated how various moral theories apply in different contexts. It reinforced the idea that morality is not always absolute but rather a nuanced and evolving process of reasoning and reflection.

A key insight was that moral reasoning isn’t about selecting a single “correct” theory but about considering different perspectives to make well-informed ethical choices. However emotions come into picture while doing so and humans are influenced by self-interest theory. By challenging our assumptions and using these frameworks, we can approach ethical dilemmas with greater clarity and confidence. A valuable session indeed !

The day began with a quick yet critical recap, allowing us to reconnect with past learnings and establish a foundation for the discussions ahead. This exercise was a great way to jog our memories and see how our understanding had evolved over time.Once we were ready, we faced an intriguing challenge—five statements with ethical dilemmas were displayed on the screen. Our task was to arrange them in order of priority and importance. This required us to make tough choices, guided by our values and perspectives. Just as we started feeling confident in our decisions, the complexity increased. The number of statements doubled from five to ten, making the task even more difficult. This was a true test of our ability to set priorities, revealing how often our emotions influence our critical thinking over logic.Following this, we were divided into groups to research various ethical dilemma theories. We explored their meanings, real-life examples, and their issues. This research deepened our understanding of how different perspectives shape ethical decision-making.To put our learning into practice, we were given different scenarios that presented ethical challenges. We had to reflect on what we would do if we were part of those situations. This was an eye-opening exercise, as it helped us understand the balance between emotions and rational thinking when making decisions.This entire process was not just about learning theories; it was about self-awareness. It helped me realize how I make decisions in my personal life and how important it is to evaluate every scenario carefully before choosing a course of action. Ethical dilemmas are a part of life, and today’s experience gave me the confidence to approach them with a more thoughtful and balanced mindset.