“Is that statement always true?” “How can I fact check?” These are questions I ask myself commonly these days. So much information is available at the tips of our fingers. Evaluating what is “true” is often disputable and requires critical thinking.
As an educator, I championed critical thinking in my students. I challenged them to go beyond any written word to put it together with other information to come to enlightened conclusions. I admonished that the more people read, the more they know. The more known, the more people realize how much you don’t know. This realization is the beginning of critical thinking.
Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate information and arguments to form judgments and act. Critical thinkers can recognize biases, evaluate assumptions, and consider alternative ideas.
Promoting questioning is not as easy as taking information at initial value. It takes time and energy to evaluate information. It is daunting to sift through different viewpoints and question assumptions.
I frustrated some graduate students because I dared them to put ideas together and consider alternative conclusions. To get an “A” on a paper required them to teach me something that I did not already know. I did not mean to be arrogant in that request, but I wanted them to go beyond regurgitating ideas to putting ideas together. I wanted them to think about alternative perspectives and interpretations.
We live in a climate that is politically divisive. I feel helpless in changing that situation in our country. I do feel, however, that I have a role in keeping myself informed about varying opinions founded in a thoughtful analysis of issues.
Although I no longer work with students, I challenge myself as I do others to reflect on thought processes, biases, and assumptions. This process sets in motion critical thinking. Approaching information with skepticism is necessary along with an open mind.
I hope in my daily life and my informal interactions with others that I can support learning environments. I strive to foster my own as well as others’ curiosity and truth seeking.