Ever since I was a teenager I was passionate about studying health. But there came a point when I didn't even know what health was or what was healthy because of all the contradicting messages. Instead of sorting through it all, I kind of gave up for a while because I didn't know who or what to believe. It wasn't until I went to college that I found more clarity or at least found tools to research and analyze the information I was given.
What is Critical Thinking?
What is Critical Thinking?
Critical Thinking includes the following components:
- Curiosity - You go into the process not knowing what the answer will be. Curiosity is not finding things to prove your point of view (or bias) but rather to learn what facts and evidence are out there.
- Skepticism - We need skepticism so we don't believe everything we hear or read. This involves healthy questioning.
- Where did you hear that?
- Was it peer reviewed?
- Why do you think that?
- How do you know that?
- How was that tested?
- Where is the source?
- Who is the audience?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- What is the tone of the text?
- Is the tone of the text emotional?
- What are some other views of this topic?
- What do experts say concerning this topic?
- How big was the sample size?
- Who was the population in the study?
- Humility - This is hard but it involves admitting that we are wrong when we find new evidence.
Why Does it Matter?
Critical Thinking helps decrease bias and misinformation. It also helps people to be informed and able to make educated decisions. Another benefit of critical thinking is that is motivates citizens and young adults to be involved in their communities. See video below...
I hope that parents and teachers spend time teaching their kids and students the skills they need to think critically. This is such a needed skill in society because it helps people to think for themselves instead of being tossed and turned in the waves of misguided information. I know it takes more than a class or a video clip to master this art, but hopefully this post will gently push us in the direction of practicing and mastering the art of critical thinking.
Just for Kicks
The following video clip is John Oliver illustrating how scientific studies are often twisted by people and by the news.
Just for Kicks
The following video clip is John Oliver illustrating how scientific studies are often twisted by people and by the news.
References
- http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-critical-thinking-definition-skills-meaning.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzV1pNQUX5s
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rnq1NpHdmw&t=624s
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