Having thoughtful and critical conversations is rare these days. In my experience, most people do not exercise critical thinking skills. I find myself mostly in conversations with people about surface-level ideas. Delving further into important topics of conversation with the average person is not easy. I say average person because many people are seen on YouTube, television, and podcasts that set out to discuss meaningful ideas and engage in critical thinking.
Perhaps many factors contribute to the person not wanting to engage in more meaningful conversations, such as the person may be a stranger. Typically, it is uncommon to surpass surface-level conservation with a stranger for apparent reasons.
Another factor is the person is non-confrontational and would prefer not to engage in topics that require a debate style of conversation. There does have to be a welcoming environment for the sharing, debating, and challenging of ideas, but many people do not attempt to enter the arena.
“The problem is not that people are uneducated. The problem is that people are educated just enough to believe what they have been taught, and not educated enough to question anything from what they’ve been taught.” - Prof. Richard Feynman.
In my experience, I have found that people do not like to have conversations where anyone disagrees, even in sharing ideas. People seek commonality and a shared viewpoint across all or most topics to feel content, comfortable, and safe. The detected discomfort of any sort, especially when conversing with people, is highly evaded.
This is not to say that all engaging conversations should be argumentative, disagreeable, or uncomfortable. If only more people sought to engage in challenging discussions with an open mind, even temperament, and willingness to listen. We could develop and expand discourse in more reflective and consequential ways.
I do not claim to be an expert at navigating difficult and uncomfortable conversations. It is my intention, however, to rise to the occasion by growing and developing my critical thinking skills. I hope to be a vessel for engaging and meaningful dialogue.
Critical thinking is a mental process of analyzing and evaluating information and arguments to reach a well-justified conclusion. It involves using reason and evidence to carefully examine and assess a situation, idea, or claim, considering multiple perspectives and possible biases.
Critical thinking skills are essential for problem-solving, decision-making, and effective communication. It requires an open-minded, skeptical, and unbiased approach and the ability to identify and weigh the evidence and arguments that support or challenge a particular viewpoint.
Critical thinking is a systematic approach to evaluating information and arguments, as well as the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.
“The insecure leader will interpret critical thinking as criticism.” - Andy Stanley.
Critical thinking is a muscle that we must exercise. Sometimes it is mental gymnastic to objectively analyze different ideas and leave our preconceived notions at the door. One must be willing to research, read, listen, and ask the right questions. Critical thinking involves approaching the unknown in a conversation and shutting out the ego so that you can remain willing and curious to examine the facts and opinions presented.
Critical thinking allows ideas to be organized, contrasted and flushed out. It is by critical thinking that clarity can be gained, as well as self-awareness. In Jordan B Peterson’s book “12 Rules for Life” (I highly recommend it for everyone to read!) Dr. Peterson states, “People think they think, but it’s not true. It’s mostly self-criticism that passes for thinking.” He goes on to state that true thinking and listening are rare and require having an internal dialogue. Having a conversation with one’s self while weighing the pros, cons, and outcomes of both sides of an argument is part of critical thinking.
It takes practice to surrender to listening before eagerly objecting. It is often assumed that we must answer right away, especially if we do not agree. Conversations and debates do not have to follow a fast tempo. They can be slow and intentional. You can pause and take a beat to think over the other person’s thoughts before hastily replying in opposition.
There are many skills you can develop from learning to think more critically:
Better decision-making: By evaluating information objectively and considering different perspectives and interpretations, individuals are able to make more informed and accurate decisions.
Problem-solving: Critical thinking skills help individuals identify and understand the root cause of a problem and develop practical solutions.
Increased creativity: By questioning assumptions and considering multiple perspectives, individuals can develop new innovative ideas.
Improved communication: Critical thinking helps individuals formulate and articulate their thoughts and arguments more clearly and effectively.
Improved self-awareness: By analyzing one’s thoughts, one can become more aware of their biases and limitations, which can help one to become more open-minded and conscious of their thought processes.
Career advancement: Critical thinking is a requirement in every job description. Honing the craft of critical thinking can be helpful in the workplace, where you can demonstrate your ability to solve problems effectively and efficiently to advance in position and salary.
Critical thinking skills can be improved and developed by:
Writing: Writing allows one to think, research, evaluate, and formulate opinions or judgments critically. The process of writing exercises the mind and develops critical thinking skills throughout the entire process.
Ask questions: Start with asking the basics who, what, where, why, and when? These questions are foundational to curiosity and propel the sharing of ideas and conversation. Look for the details in the statement and question the facts. Don’t make assumptions; instead, ask questions to clarify.
Shifting your perspective: Again, don’t assume. Broaden one’s mind and allow for observation and learning. Remain open-minded and uncover one’s own inherent biases. Don’t allow preconceived notions of polarization to further the dichotomy of the discussion.
Continue learning: Keep reading about topics of interest. Read opposing viewpoints and gather information. Thoroughly research and analyze different perspectives and arguments. Gain a well-rounded understanding of a topic.
“No problem can be solved with the same level of consciousness that created it.” -Albert Einstein.
I have always considered myself a critical thinker and consciously self-aware while growing up. However, as I have become older, I have realized a desire to improve my critical thinking skills and to find the truth in conversations and statements. I have come to understand the importance of thinking, listening, and awareness of a discussion's context, details, and truths.
So let’s bring back critical thinking and challenge the status quo of blindly accepting facts and conversations at face value. Let us delve further into our subconscious and conscious thoughts so that we may better the world with more meaningful and intentional conversation.
I found this to be timely and true. Instead of people taking time to listen and consider another point of view, the immediate response from the emotional centre triggers a sense of being wrong. Then the conversation or possibly of meaningful discourse is shut down.
I met a physicist friend of my husband’s who smashes atoms together for a living. I tried to engage in a conversation with him to understand the scientific perspective of things I have considered from a spiritual perspective.
Shut. Down. Hard. With a smirk in a snide remark the conversation was over before it even began.
Too many are unable to concede what they know for even a moment to consider what they may not know yet
We haven’t learned how to listen, many of us I love the phrase, God gave us two ears and one mouth and that’s because we’re supposed to listen twice as often as we speak
Debate is interesting and potentially expensive when done with respect, and with ears opened at least, as often as the mouth
I appreciate the thoughts you’ve expressed here.