Critical thinking – The only way to avoid floating in a vacuum
I have been reading this book called “Sophie’s World” – a novel about the The History Of Philosophy” by Jostein Gaarder. It is a short history of western philosophical thought from Socrates to Sartre, and talks about how human thinking has evolved over the years. What we know today about the existence of everything in the universe, right from the big bang to our own existence is all because of critical thinking.
Over the past few days, I have been consciously watching my thoughts, and I have successfully been able to connect the behavior of people around me to some or the other bias and thereby justify their behavior in a given situation. I have tried to identify the biases that I usually operate from, and have recognized traits of different biases in various instances. This path of mystery should lead inward and it is still work in progress. As rightly said by Albert Einstein – the important thing is to never stop questioning.
In your post it is mentioned “I have been consciously watching my thoughts, and I have successfully been able to connect the behavior of people around me to some or the other bias and thereby justify their behavior in a given situation.”
How you do that? Is it really the right thing to do?
The point I am trying to make is that instead of judging people in a given situation, I try to understand the bias from which they are acting. This helps me to look at the situation in a positive manner rather than getting frustrated about the situation. Whether this is right or wrong…I cannot comment, but definitely its one step towards understanding people.
I do try this with students, before I assume the reason for their behaviour I try to reason it out or talk to them.
I try this when I am planning for the classes to be taken. And, what I have come across is when there is critical thinking applied (looking at the pros and cons of a learning engagement and considering the most important and the relevant ones..) I find I am able to do justice with the students… But, yes, this needs the regular effort and moreover, a constant effort!!
Its difficult for me- as in haste I make decision or to say make a judgement but at the end I think deeply about it- few times I am able to change it and few times its very late as already decision been taken. For me its climbing a mountain- a very difficult journey of introspecting my thoughts- my decisions…
Well, I realized I haven’t been able to convey my message clearly through my post; especially after discussing the same with Shezin. I do not judge the people all the time, or try and identify their biases. What I try to do is empathize with people assuming that they must be acting out of a prime thought or a bias. In this way, I am able to control my reaction and improve tolerance in a given situation.