Comments on: Critical Thinking – Have we thought about our thinking?

By: Maddie

Maddie — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:32:01 +0000

It’s a very informative essay. I think critical thinking is required for all aspects of life. However, due to our biases, circumstances and past experiences we tend to develop a certain thought process and think in the same direction whenever we experience a similar situation that we have in the past. I don’t know whether am being clear enough. However, to make our thinking better, it’s sometimes necessary to take help from someone else so that we can break our biased thought process. Also, I doubt whether we can improve our thinking on our own. It is difficult to criticise self. We are generally reluctant to come out of our comfort zone and take up a new perspective about things and situations. Since it may not always lead to a happy end. So then how do we begin to improve our thinking?

By: Santy

Santy — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:44:29 +0000

I think experiences, wisdom, maturity cannot hinder creativity. I think the essence of creativity is that it flows in naturally and it is difficult trying to be creative. I think maturity helps in validating what really is creativity. What we might hink creative might not be for others. That’s the only reason children seem creative than adults. But acually adult’s creativity is more challenging.

Critical thinking does not help in creativity of course. Creativity needs impulsive thinking. The more critical your thought process is, the more challenging your creativity will be!

By: Prithvi

Prithvi — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:42:09 +0000

Sometimes – experiences, wisdom, maturity also hinders creativity isn’t it?

By: Prithvi

Prithvi — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:41:28 +0000

Yaar, I like those days. LKG, then UKG & on on & on

I think my mind was relatively free )

By: Santy

Santy — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:14:38 +0000

Prithivi,

That’s critical thinking explained in one line! Yes unless and until I know myself or atleast I wish to know myself critical thinking is a sure failure! I think that’s LKG of critical thinking graduation

By: Prithvi

Prithvi — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:25:12 +0000

Great exchange of opinions, views, perspective here.
I like thinking…

After reading this topic, I have this question in my mind.
Why thinking is categorized as ” Critical” ?

In my opinion, one who manages his/her mind will know to handle circumstances better.

Thinking is the by product of one’s mind. In order to improve one’s thinking ability, one should
know about himself/herself first isn’t?

By: vjkrishna

vjkrishna — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:41:04 +0000

C’mon. Don’t give up on thinking . . .

By: Narakasura

Narakasura — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:28:20 +0000

Difficult topic. I’m unable to comment anything here…

By: vjkrishna

vjkrishna — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:53:43 +0000

There are two important aspects to this:

1. Knowing the usual pitfalls such as bias (of our own), lack of information etc.
2. Ensuring that they don’t influence your thinking.

The thing about eliminating bias is that one might think “I have no bias at all. I have valid rationale for all my thoughts.” But that might show that they have not identified that they have bias. They know that bias is a pitfall but don’t think that they’re also bitten by that, which they actually are.

By: Santyeee

Santyeee — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:40:51 +0000

Vj,
I loved it! From cream till wafers! As Anil said it was so very educating. Anil I second that . Infact without my consciousness I now believe I was learning critical thinking from you. Well! I could hear your disagreement I was not so self disciplined until I had an opportunity to start thinking for myself. I certainly agree that. But I was definitely not a casual thinker. Then I must be impulsive I suppose. I would say I had impulsive thinking until I completed my college days. I never think about my future those days (Even now of course . I never had questions like When to study? What to study? How to speak? How to impress people (girls)? Who is bad and Who is good? Which software course might help me? Whose friendship might help me? When to go where? Which responsibilities I can accept and which I can deny? Am I capable for it? Am I the right person? Should I propose her now or not? Will she not become mine if I don’t? But still I was completely occupied in college days (Right from childhood)…was a fashions co-ordinator in 2004 (failed badly), Skit coordinator in 03 (Passed), Captained department cricket team in 02 (Failed), Rangoli, painting & pencil sketching competitor (Passed), studies (Average – Passed), love life 01 to 04 (Tough one – managed to pass , Department President in 04 (Average performer), Industrial visits coordinator in 03 (Average), Symposiums incharge 03 & 04 (Average). Woof! I now certainly realise that I had too much in my plate in college days which ultimately made my life tougher then and after as well. Does this mean I did not have critical thinking then? Absolutely not! I think I had it already but was not practising for myself! It was for my non critical responsibilites I accepted due to impulsive thinking! The extent to which I practised it was very negligible and so ended up in unexpected situations and struggled to get out as well. I certainly now believe that critical thinking would have made me plan things properly then and helped me pass in most areas. That’s when thinking for myself!

When making a decision that is vital for somoneelse then I got to put my self in somebodyelse shoes as you said Vj. To put ourselves in others shoes is something which comes normally when we converse but I believe is very difficult to practise! If someone is able to perfectly do it and end up 100 % successful in all decisions then he can be called as a perfect critical thinker, I suppose.

Whether or not I spoke the subject matter here but I certainly believe this topic made me think about my thinking! I now know the secret essence of a calm, composed, friendly, smart, lovable, attractive, seductive thinker and seriously want to start my practice sessions immediately!

By: vjkrishna

vjkrishna — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:31:07 +0000

You’re right in saying that the mystery of tomorrow that will end us elsewhere but certainly critical thinking will keep us prepared for any outcome. Also please remember that a lot of questions from yesterdays are still unanswered.

Or I can understand you as a person if I practise critical thinking. I can step into your shoes. I can see things from your eyes. All this can be done without worrying about the mystery of tomorrow. You know never know, it can even shape a better tomorrow.

By: Vijay Anil

Vijay Anil — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:59:50 +0000

Vijayyy….
“Critical Thinking – Think about Thinking” – First of all its sounds complex one to understand. Honestly the article itself made me critical to understand at first instance. I read it thrice as I was confused and completely new to sync with the concept. V.Good One & Thanks for educating. Do you have an recommended books on this or any website or any info to learn & dig more on this.?

One Question: Though you might better desicions by “Critical Thinking” – But always the volatile & mystery of tomorrow will end you elsewhere because of your dependencies/responsiblities/commitments right.?