3 Steps How to Develop Critical Thinking Ability
Critical thinking is the art of analyzing ideas based on logical reasoning. Critical thinking is not thinking harder, but thinking better. A person who sharpens his critical thinking skills usually has a high level of intellectual curiosity. In other words, they are willing to invest their time and energy to learn all the phenomena around them. Such people are often considered skeptical, but actually extraordinarily intelligent. Interested in sharpening your critical thinking skills? Wait a minute, the journey you have to travel is not that simple. It takes perseverance, discipline, motivation, and willingness to analyze your strengths and weaknesses; and not everyone can do it.
Question your assumptions. Realized or not, people often make assumptions about almost everything that is caught senses. Assumptions are formed after the human brain processes certain pieces of information and underlies the process of human interaction with the surrounding environment. That being said, assumptions are the foundation of a person's critical frame of mind. But what if the assumption is wrong or not entirely correct? If that happens, of course the foundation must be dismantled and rebuilt.
What is meant by questioning assumptions? Einstein questioned his assumptions about Newton's laws of motion that were thought to explain the world accurately. [1] He then overhauled this assumption and developed a completely new frame of mind through his theory of relativity.
You can also question assumptions in a similar way. Why do you feel the need to have breakfast even when you're not hungry? Why do you assume it will fail despite not trying?
Are there any other assumptions you've been plainly asserting but could have collapsed if analyzed further?
Do not swallow the information raw if you do not know the truth. Similar to assumptions, humans tend to judge the truth of information by source. Information from trusted sources (authority figures) will be directly regarded as truth, and vice versa. Although it saves time and energy, this habit will weaken your analytical skills. Remember, not all the information you receive from authority figures (government, mass media, and even parents) is true.
Use your instinct to analyze questionable pieces of information. If you feel the explanation is not satisfactory, ask the relevant party to provide a more detailed explanation. If you are reluctant or unable to ask directly, read relevant data sources and self-analysis the truth. If this is continuously done, by itself you will be able to sort out which information is necessary and do not need to be investigated further. You will also be able to determine the truth of the information based on your judgment.
Question the things that are around you. Before, you've learned to question the assumptions and information conveyed by authority figures. Now, you will learn to question ... everything? Asking is probably the most essential action in the critical thinking process. If you do not know what to ask or not to ask even if you wish, you will not get the answer anytime. Critical thinking is about seeking answers in an elegant and intelligent way.
What is the process of ball lightning (the phenomenon of glowing light in the sky)?
How can the fish fall from the sky of Australia? [2]
What steps should be taken to tackle global poverty?
How to stop the production of nuclear weapons in different parts of the world?
