1. How can one try to be neutral while critical thinking (meaning in its initial stage), because everyone has their own believes and school of thought which to certain extent can influence their thinking even if it is critical?
First, note that some better choices over the word ‘neutral’ are perhaps words such as open, vulnerable, flexible, and in particular “fair-minded”. These are a part of the CT vernacular, terminology, coded language of the CT discipline. Fair-minded is also used in the Paul and Edler text, where they classify this is an intellectual trait, which along with elements and standards is a key part of their CT model.
Now getting to the question:
You’ll recall that one of the objectives of becoming a critical thinker is to ‘use it’ (apply the CT model) in order to minimize the intrinsic, inborn and or known flaws, biases, prejudices, etc. that our quite typical to our (unprocessed or unreflective) thinking. When you are (upfront) aware and conscious of the possibility that your thinking might be flawed or for that matter, the thinking of the person you are engaged with, is flawed, then you are already in a ‘neutral’ way of being.
It’s important to keep a ‘look out’ – much like an excited boy/girl scout does for his/her territory – for your known flaws, and be open, vulnerable, flexible, accepting, to/of any that might come about as new flaws not known to you; or to the possibility that these may expose your flaws in different ways. You should have (or develop) the disposition of intellectual humility (which is also a trait in the Paul/Edler/Nosich model of CT.
Advanced critical thinkers would have at some point identified a list of their flaws, prejudices, biases, etc., usually with the help of an instructor, trainer, coach, therapist, counselor, friend, teacher, parents (not a good idea!), etc. We will do this identification process in class once we have fully introduced the CT model & had at least one or two go’s at understanding & applying it. However, if you want a head start then go to & read contents at the following links:
http://www.businessballs.com/johariwindowmodel.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window
Feel free to comment or seek further clarifications.
Regards,
Faheem
Thank you sir for answering this question, and yes u did answer it quite well, But what if we want to think critically in our daily minor issues, we can’t be applying those models there, so how could we go about it? Also if our believes are reflecting the model per say as regarding, for example the assumptions in elements, wont we bring out our believes in that? (And I don’t necessarily mean biases or stereotypes, but just our particular way of thinking)
ReplyDeleteNageen,
ReplyDeleteWhy would you want to think 'critically' about 'minor' issues? How do you define minor issues? For minor (not so complex?) issues, you would (if at all) use simple tools like SEE-I or Q at I (or past successfull experience) with a view to clarify (& understand) these, & then make a call on what action, if any to take.
I would NOT use a CT model for my minor issues, but then I am pretty sure about what I consider to be minor issues.
What is "your (our) way of thinking?" Do you know how to articulate your way of thinking? Have you ever reflected on your way of thinking? Do you have a standard process which underscores (your way) of thinking? Have you ever purposefully identified the strengths, weaknesses, etc of your way of thinking?
The key thing is reflecting on your thinking to look for possible flaws, shortcomings, weaknesses. The elements (along with standards, etc. of the model) give you a criteria against which to assess whether you are on the right (critical thinking) track or not.
'You' need to prioritize for what 'class', nature, types of, problems, issues, questions, etc., you want to use the CT model for. Within that 'you' need to make the call on what level of detail & amount of time you want to invest in a particular issue. Obviously once you start practicing the model & reach a certain level of expertise in it, then it (the model) will become second nature to you.
Faheem
hmm, thanks sir, so i think now i should see how are being taught to use ct before i actually know where to apply it, thanks
ReplyDeleteAlso, its a dynamic, constant (if not a lifelong) process. I am sure everyone can see that.
ReplyDeleteWhat you identify today as areas of development to your CT abilities/skills/disposition, may not be so in a few weeks time. At the same time, your ability to take on or to want to take on more complexity should get enhanced. That process might open up other areas of development, or conversely even strengths.
And its not always just about identifying areas of development, weaknesses, but also of 'improving' your level of thinking quality from one level to ever increasing levels. Perhaps a better way to look at areas of development is to say equate it to 'openness or vulnerability to experiencing'.
Finally, you'll eventually - if you are not already beginning to see so - that critical thinking is clearly not the only genre of thinking, and that all genre of thinking has a purpose, and also a territorial boundary or limitation in its scope or its explanatory potential.
Regards,
Faheem
'openness or vulnerability to experiencing'.
ReplyDeleteI just love this sentence! I kind of believed this all this long since i have lived, but i never knew how to put it in words or to describe my point.
It actually is all about how you are open to different kinds of experiences! Plus not only experiencing new things and exploring yourself and other things around you, you really require yourself to become vulnerable, because you never know what certain consequences of an experience might lead you to- (that where you start learning) Because in the end there is nothing with you- except you and YOUR experiences, to guide you, inform you, teach you, destroy you, exploit you, be with you for all the times.
Sorry, forgot to put this up.
ReplyDeleteBut speaking as a critical thinker this is first thing we learn and thus we become a 'Critical Thinker' then!
Its highly important to enjoy the experiences because they make us who we are today!
Inviting new things into your domain is just the best thing ever! That is what makes you analyze things Critically.
Don't you all agree?
I completely agree with Hifza on this one.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there is a point that arises from this. We at this age, are much more accepting of change. We are flexible and adapt in different changes that life throws at us, everytime thinking of it as a new experience. However, when one gets older, one is not so willing to change. Because we are learning to think critically and be fair-minded now, we might change our biases and learn to think critically for the rest of our lives. However, what about those who are older? When a person gets older, a person is not as wiling to change or experience new things. He wants things to stay the same and has a harder time adapting to new things, specially if thsoe new things go against his/her biasness. So..will it be safe if I say that people who are older can never be able to think critically as they might never be able to accept change, or let go of their biasness?
That elderly people cannot think critically because they are resistant to change is a presumption. some older people might be unwilling to change but there are scores of them out there who live a full and exciting life, seeking answers to their innumerable questions. I knew an elderly man who was in a search of a religion which would satisfy him. He chose a religion, questioned his beliefs, felt dissatisfied, changed his religion. He died without a religion. So I think it would be a generalization if you say that elderly people are not critical thinkers. Also, don't you think being aware of your biases and that fault in the way you think is enough for you to be called a critical thinker? Some elderly people do not let go off their biases but at least they are aware of them and aware of their flawed thinking. It's only that they do not want to change.
ReplyDeleteTrue that.
ReplyDeleteInfact older people i probably think are reluctant in their stance, like they would show that they don't like changes yet they adapt to them no matter what.
Lets not ignore the fact that elderly have so much experience that they learn everything with time, not everything but to a certain extent they do. Plus yes they know probably where to change but still they don't?
Example- Certain elderly orthodox beliefs that the world has not changed!
Good point on "presumption" Tooba, & some useful observations by Hifsa too.
ReplyDeleteOn "older people" & change: perhaps they only "seem" not to change as they very well might be "suspending" their actions & decisions around any issues that trigger them to consider changing. The ability to "suspend" actions & decision is a sign of mature critical thinking. Wisdom, perhaps.
Willingness to change & actual change itself is a function of many parameters. It is soemtiems just faddish, I think, to think (assume) that younger people are more open to change. If we go deeper, you migth find that generally speaking, many younger people don't really hold on to much very steadfastly to start of with. Therefore, its easy for them to hopskotch from one thing to another, especially where they see quicker or faster gratification. Its not so or as much, I think, with older people.
Regards,
Faheem