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Critical thinking fosters open-mindedness, better judgment
Have you noticed how the herd mentality has come to be deeply ingrained in our lives? We routinely buy what our friends and family recommend; we fall for the most unbelievable advertisement stories; we constantly approve and seek approval for our values, assumptions and beliefs without ever questioning them. Original thought and critical analysis is found wanting even in some of the most important decisions we make. Just imagine how much more efficient we could become if w
e applied critical thinking to our everyday lives instead of blindly following the rules.
For example, by spending a few minutes considering the most organised way to do routine tasks, by taking time to make a useful and economical purchase, or by thinking about the most effective way to solve a problem, we can make better decisions, we can come to more logical conclusions, and we can manage the task at hand better as well.
Critical thinking involves taking charge of your thought processes. Careful discernment, rational analysis and objective evaluation are central to critical thinking.
It encourages us to rely on reason rather than emotion in coming to a conclusion. It fosters open-mindedness, discipline and better judgment. It improves the rationality of the thought process and enriches communication and self expression. Research has established that children trained in critical thinking demonstrate remarkable learning and retention abilities.
Critical thinking and creativity go hand in hand. While creative thinking is concerned with the creation of ideas, processes and experiences, critical thinking is what is needed for the analysis and evaluation of those ideas.
In real life situations, we often move back and forth between creative thinking and critical analysis in the process of exploring and identifying possible solutions for our problems.
Putting critical thinking into practice
Critical thinking improves the way we deal with everyday problems. It gives us the confidence to confront big picture decisions with rationality. It sharpens our personal awareness and logical thinking. Because of these reasons, critical thinking skills are particularly useful in influencing and persuading people. Remember these things each time you need to arrive at a balanced, well considered decision or conclusion.
Learn as much as possible about the facts relating to the situation. Split complex problems into smaller, doable units. By splitting the process into clear, definable steps, complex issues can be tackled in a systematic manner.
Take as much time as possible to ask questions and challenge assumptions before you draw inferences. Good questions increase our understanding, and help us identify problems that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. At the same time, be conscious of the timeframe within which the decision has to be made. Seek alternatives and compare solutions for the most effective way to do a job. Try to balance assumptions and facts to arrive at an unbiased conclusion.
Prepare a plan of action to tackle the challenge in front of you. Be ready with alternatives too, should the first choice plan go wrong. When backed with proper planning and preparation, execution is a fairly simple, straightforward process.
Applied critical thinking skills are essential for all effective planning, problem-solving, and decision-making processes. Continuous practice improves your thinking speed and endows you with the ability to think on your feet.
The ultimate challenge is to train the brain to go beyond natural instinct to arrive at logical conclusions even when making instant decisions.
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BINDU SRIDHAR
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