A journey to critical thinking via perspectives, stereotypes and biases

In this week’s Life Class, I got the chance to dive into critical thinking in a very hands-on way. We started with the idea that the map is not the terrain, and when we each drew our own maps of the school, I was struck by how differently everyone saw the same space. It made me realize how much perspective shapes understanding. We also had a fruitful discussion on stereotypes, which opened my eyes to how easily assumptions can cloud judgment. Later, through a skit on biases, I saw just how often our minds play tricks on us without us even noticing.

The discussions and debates that followed really pushed me to question my own beliefs and listen more openly to others. Toward the end, we explored the idea of “breaking our darlings”—letting go of biases and personal preferences that cloud our judgment—and then watched a short film that tied it all together by showing how perspective shapes decision-making. Walking out of the class, I felt like I had not just learned about critical thinking but also practiced it, and it left me more open to growth, empathy, and new ways of seeing the world.