Tag: #criticalthinking

Insights from a Life Class on Critical Thinking

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Introduction: I recently attended a life class on critical thinking that changed how I approach daily decisions and understand the world around me. We explored the importance of asking different types of questions, how politics shapes our lives, and the concept of System 1 and System 2 thinking, which shows how we make quick or slow decisions.

Understanding System 1 and System 2 Thinking: The session introduced us to the idea of System 1 (fast, instinctive thinking) and System 2 (slow, thoughtful thinking). Before the class, I often made quick decisions based on gut feelings. But now, I take a moment to think carefully, especially for important choices. For instance, when offered an extra project at work, I paused and thought it through. I realized it would add to my workload and might not benefit me in the long run, so I decided to decline.

Seeing Problems from New Angles: We learned the value of using different perspectives when approaching problems. Watching The Yogi movie, which touched on political themes, showed how much politics can affect our lives. This made me realize how often I let my biases or influences shape my views. Now, I ask myself questions like: Am I missing another side of the story? This habit has helped me understand situations more deeply.

Politics’ Subtle Influence: Politics plays a bigger role in our everyday decisions than we realize. From policies that affect our jobs to the news we consume, political messages shape our thinking. This session helped me become more aware of how political views can influence my opinions. I now question not just what I think but why I think that way.

Conclusion: The critical thinking class gave me practical tools to make smarter decisions and see issues from new perspectives. It also made me more aware of how politics influences my thoughts. Overall, it has helped me become more thoughtful and intentional in how I approach everyday life.

Exploring New Lenses Through Critical Thinking

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Attending the recent critical thinking session was a transformative experience, one that has shifted how I approach daily problems and decisions. The facilitators delved deep into human brain development and posed puzzling questions that emphasized the importance of perspective in problem-solving. This opened my eyes to how viewing situations through different lenses can significantly impact the choices we make.

One of the most impactful concepts from the session was the distinction between System 1 and System 2 thinking. System 1 represents fast, instinctive, and emotional responses, while System 2 involves slower, more deliberate, and analytical thought. Understanding these two systems has already begun influencing how I tackle decisions, both in personal life and in the classroom.

Additionally, the session has heightened my awareness of how subtle political influences shape our thoughts and decisions. I hadn’t always recognized how much external factors could shape my responses and worldview. But now, I find myself questioning my own biases and considering where certain ideas originate. For instance, during a recent discussion about education policies at work, I was more open to exploring different perspectives, realizing that my previous opinions had been shaped by underlying political narratives I had taken for granted.

This shift in perspective has made me more conscious of how deeply ingrained systems of thought can influence our daily lives. By being mindful of both emotional and rational responses, I can navigate decision-making with greater clarity and empathy. I’ve come to appreciate how critical thinking allows me to step back, assess, and often find better solutions by not relying on my initial impulses.

In conclusion, this session has been a catalyst for a more nuanced approach to daily challenges. It has helped me recognize that the first response is not always the best, and taking the time to think critically can open up new, more balanced, and effective solutions.

Reflecting on Brilliance: A Journey of Facilitated Learning

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“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

As I conclude this transformative class, my gratitude extends to our incredible facilitators, Ms. Bhargavi and Mr. Bhumit. Beyond conventional methods, they infused interaction, hands on experiencing, humour and group tasks into every session, creating a conducive environment. Throughout the course, they adeptly integrated authentic videos and readings, seamlessly bridging theory with real-world applications. They guided us through explicit tasks and detailed explanations which served as lifelines through even the trickiest concepts. When navigating the scientific method, they provided a clear path and scaffolding by Ms.Bhargavi is commendable. While encountering knowledge potholes, participants were skillfully guided through the complexities, making these topics surprisingly comprehensible.

It’s not just about completing a course; it’s about igniting a lifelong love for learning. My personal take away from this class is the clarity of concept or practice of being extremely skeptical or gullible. Moreover, a clear vision of how EI and CT are connected can be seen now. Knowing a few technical terms (though have to refer to notes each time) would help in articulating the findings better in future run now. As I reflect on this educational journey, I’m immensely grateful for Ms. Bhargavi and Mr. Bhumit, who transformed a class into an enjoyable exploration of knowledge and passion.

Are you Theist, Atheist or Agnostic

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Whether you are a Theist or an Atheist or an Agnostic? We all have our own believes and values. Something that I was delved to think or question. CT class helped me question my belief, my values and my ethics. How we as a human develop our own beliefs through our thinking and experiences, how we keep on evolving based on some new exploration and experiences. Its okay to believe something that doesn’t exist at the same time its equally important to question what we are asked to believe. Learning the art to question and develop your own thought proces is something that Critical Thinking taught me this time.

Information, Knowledge and Intellect, terms which we may use commonly without actually thinking the true meaning that we are conveying. A group discussion by Parag Sir did help us re-think the terms we know and how we actually apply in our daily life without actually noticing.

Reflection on D5 and 6 Critical thinking class-Lota

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On D5 and 6 of our Critical thinkig life class, The exploration of religious biases left a lasting impression on me, unveiling the intricate ways in which our perspectives and convictions ebb and flow with the tides of circumstance. The diverse array of learning tools employed, including videos, articles, group discussions, and debates, has been instrumental in cultivating a more nuanced and critical approach to understanding topics as complex as belief systems, rituals, customs, and traditions.

One of the key takeaways for me has been the realization that critical thinking is not merely an intellectual exercise but a dynamic process deeply intertwined with our values and actions. The class emphasized how it’s important to combine our beliefs with careful thinking about what is morally right. This mix is crucial for dealing with the complexities of ideas like God, religion, and tradition.

The guest speaker sessions with Vardan sir and Parag sir were particularly illuminating. Their insights not only broadened my perspective but also provided practical insights that I foresee being immensely beneficial in navigating future discussions and debates. The diversity of thought they brought to the table served as a powerful catalyst for fostering an emerging thinking power within me.

In essence, these two days have been pivotal in shaping my understanding of critical thinking and its applicability to topics that often elude easy comprehension. I feel equipped not only to engage in thoughtful discourse but also to approach these discussions with a heightened sensitivity to the diverse beliefs and values held by others.

“Exploring Paths: Reflections on Decision-Making, Beliefs, and Religion”

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Religion, theories, knowledge, wisdom, or information—what do we need when making decisions? Do we require a defined path to become a better person, or can we simply go with the flow? These past two days of life class have prompted me to think more critically and reflect on my thought processes. Engaging with Vardan Sir and Parag Sir, along with sharing insights with fellow mates, has deepened my self-reflection. The group discussions and examples allowed me to analyze situations from diverse perspectives. What particularly stood out for me in the session was the confidence with which I could identify my stance as a believer, an agnostic, or an atheist.

Enhancing Critical Thinking skills

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The 3rd & 4th Life classes were very informative and had a lot of new topics which I discovered of.

I find group activities during life class sessions more enjoyable, but I also appreciate our facilitators who always tells us to keep our own perspectives first and then mutually come to a common decision. When involved in group activities there are a lot of new points which gives me a new perspective that I would have never thought of, due to which my brain engages in a bit more exercise to explore alternative and creative perspectives.

My takeaways from these recent life classes is that I learnt some disciples about human being where the points I liked were:

  1. Human is a sophisticated mechanism on the planet.
  2. All desires evolve with time and age.
  3. What we accumulate from our surroundings is ours and not of others.
  4. Faith is a blind power which paralyzes our brain.
  5. When you fully accept your lack of knowledge for anything, that’s when you’ll truly begin to inquire and seek understanding.
  6. Everything which comes to our mind is from our 5 senses.
  7. There is a very vast difference in the words “belief” & “faith”

A very nice activity which had different types of biases and its meaning where we could ourselves identify where and how we apply those biases and how we can overcome certain biases with something positive.

The movie “The Man from Earth” which was shown to us was quite interesting and it portrayed how different people react differently on the same situation, which makes us think that how we are grown and what all intakes we accumulate while growing is how we react at any situation.

At the end CT is helpful in life but it doesn’t come in just few days, it takes time and positive initiatives by our own self to come to that level of thinking.

Critical Thinking: ETA’23-24

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Both the sessions of the Critical Thinking life class have been truly insightful as well as thought-provoking. It’s not just about analyzing arguments; it’s about refining my own thoughts, questioning assumptions, and making well-informed decisions. It has helped me recognize and identify things around which was unnoticed or never thought of, approach issues more openly, and engage in more meaningful conversations. My major takeaway from both sessions has to be thinking more openly and analyzing things from various perspectives.

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If you practice critical thinking, you logically connect ideas, scrutinize and evaluate arguments, find inconsistencies and errors in your work and the work of others, solve complex problems and engage in reflection.
What I learnt from these two days were that I don’t allow myself to go to some pandit, baba to solve my problems, as only I am the person who can work on them but there are many people who are grappling with some beliefs like we can not do pooja during periods, Different communities have to follow only their religion, Only particular reason is showing the right path, and Follow the authorities blindly without thinking logically etc.Critical thinking helps to be more open-minded and think logically about religion and beliefs. I will surely be able to question myself whenever I might have to take any decision about my beliefs.

Critical Thinking – Iota

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The first two days of CT LC were a lot of fun. My key takeaway from the first day was the clarity we got on what critical thinking means. That 12-minute video was really nice. The activities and discussions were good too. There was not a lot of new learning for me, as I’m also a TOK teacher and have had similar discussions many times, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the first day for the same reason – being a TOK teacher, I could participate well and enjoyed practicing my critical thinking skills. The second way was centered around Oppenheimer. It was an excellent movie and made me think a lot, although not being a regular theatre goer did give me a slight headache. We ended by having a discussion about the movie and some ethics-related questions.

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