Reflection on day 1 and 2 of life class – Critical Thinking (Eta)
The session has made me a bit more mindful of how I approach daily problems and decisions. It has highlighted that adopting different perspectives — using a broader “lens”— is important for making good choices. Prior to this, I always relied on my gut instincts or habitual responses, but now, I recognize the value of stepping back and engaging in more deliberate thinking and it has sometimes helped me both in my professional and personal life.
For example, a recent situation where understanding System 1 and System 2 thinking helped me to take a very important decision about purchasing a new piece washing machine. My immediate response, driven by System 1 (intuitive thinking), was to buy the latest model because of the new features and the sleek design. However, I paused and used System 2 (deliberate thinking) to evaluate whether the features would actually benefit my wash time or not. This more thoughtful approach led me to choose a model that was more cost-effective also easier for my mother in law to use.
As for the subtle influence of politics, I’m still not sure about the political narratives and societal structures since I’m sttill a bit distant from the politics. But, somewhere it has affected the way in which I think about the educational structure of our country and even the fairness between different castes.
Yes, It has helped me but I’m sure that by the end of the year I’ll be more confident and independent in using my thinking skills in many of the areas both professionally and personally.
The critical thinking session was eye-opening and has significantly changed how I approach daily problems. It taught me to look beyond the obvious and consider multiple perspectives before making decisions. I now recognize the importance of questioning assumptions and analyzing situations with a more open mind. This new mindset helps me approach challenges more creatively.
It also provided a clear understanding of how our fast, intuitive decisions (System 1) can be balanced by slower, more deliberate thinking (System 2). I found the real-life examples helpful in recognizing when to switch between the two systems.
I realized that media, social interactions, and even cultural norms are often influenced by political ideologies.
Absolutely, I completely agree! The insights from the critical thinking session are invaluable. Understanding the balance between intuitive and deliberate thinking can really transform how we approach our problems.
Critical Thinking Sessions 1 and 2 were quite interesting. Whenever we have to make a decision, we often resort to System 1, which is our instincts and initial reactions. System 2, on the other hand, is activated when we have to do something that is not natural and requires conscious mental effort. Also, we understood the concept of facts, opinions, beliefs and truth.
CT session has made me more aware of how my views and opinions affect my thinking process of decision making. This awareness has made me more conscious of when to slow down and get involved in deliberate thinking and be consistently making balanced decisions.