Critical Thinking ETA -2025-26

Over two days, I explored the fundamentals of critical thinking and how it shapes our understanding of the world. We learned about the brain’s two thinking systems: System 1 (fast, emotional, automatic) and System 2 (slow, logical, deliberate). This helped me understand why I sometimes react impulsively and other times think things through. Recognizing this internal balance taught me when to pause and engage my reasoning instead of relying on instinct.

Another key takeaway was distinguishing between beliefs, opinions, and facts. Beliefs are deeply held but not always evidence-based, opinions are personal and open to debate, and facts are objective and verifiable. This simple framework helped me view information—whether from news, social media, or conversations—with more clarity. Critical thinking, I realized, isn’t just for academics—it’s a vital everyday skill for making better decisions and seeing the world more clearly.