Critical Think : BETA

In our first session, what stood out for me was the idea of Systems Thinking — System 1 and System 2, understanding reflexive/inituitive versus reflective thinking, and the different ways we approach situations through the four “thinkers” — the Preacher, Prosecutor, Politician and Scientist. It made me reflect on how easily we become attached to defending what we already believe, rather than staying open to questioning and examining our thinking.

In our second class, I particularly enjoyed unmasking cognitive illusions and understanding how our minds can sometimes lead us to assumptions that may not necessarily be true. The activity of taking a belief, finding a counterclaim, and being willing to modify or rethink that belief was especially powerful. The idea of attaching our ideas, not our identities, resonated strongly with me. When a belief becomes part of our identity, questioning it can feel like questioning who we are. Separating our identity from our ideas allows us to be more open-minded, curious and willing to change our thinking when new evidence emerges.