Critical Thinking
But keep emotional thinking, you need both!
Emotional thinking is human instinct. We're wired to react fast, not think deep. Back in the day, if a tiger jumped out of the bushes, you would not pause to analyse the situation, you reacted. Emotional thinking kept you alive! Fear, anger, joy, they all gave us quick shortcuts to act without thinking. They are heuristics, your brain's mental shortcuts to make quick decisions.
The problem with emotional thinking is "history" where past learnings drive decision-making without considering the present facts, without using critical thinking.
Back to the tiger: you are now walking around in a zoo, a tiger jumps at you! Emotional thinking, the heuristics, makes you jump back. Then critical thinking kicks in: "the tiger is in a cage, you are ok". You stop and laugh at your initial reaction. You need both emotional and critical thinking.
So. let's learn critical thinking skills in three steps:Step 1:
Question Everything (Yes, EVERYTHING)
Never assume that the answer is right because "it's always been like this" … "we all know this".
False knowledge is dangerous because you think you know it already, so it must be true.
- Who is saying this?
- - What are their biases and motivations?
- What is the evidence?
- - Is it fact or belief?
- What are other perspectives or explanations?
- - There is always another view, consider it.
"Do my beliefs influence my judgment?".
That's emotional thinking getting in the way, and in need of update with facts.
Example - A classic old wives' tale:
"You should not go swimming for two hours after eating".
*** Think ***
- Fact or belief?
- - Look it up!
- Where does it come from?
- - Cultural beliefs, not science.
Step 2:
Challenge your own beliefs
False knowledge is dangerous because you think you know it already, so it must be true.
Turn the mirror on yourself:- Argue with yourself.
- Have friends who will challenge your beliefs … amicably!
- Say: "I might be wrong. What if the opposite is true?"
Keep your brain open to possibilities, not in echo chambers.
Step 3:
Draw a reasoned conclusion
Consider the information you now have to make a choice or a decision.
Facts over assumptions, emotions, traditions, and culture:- Assumption: "I know it this way" does not make it true.
- Emotion: "I want it this way" does not change the facts.
- Tradition: "It was always like this" does not make it true.
- Culture: "In our culture ..." is a belief, not a fact.
Now it is your turn
Stay curious, stay open to change your mind.