Sir, I don't understand when you say 'we control our thoughts', because My thoughts about myself are not entirely my own, My friends, people around me has told me about my strengths and weaknesses, through their appreciation and criticism, This means 'I only think in the direction, where others people lead me', I began to think about my writing skills, when my teachers, friends and relatives praised my skills, I began to think about my problems in my nature when my friends are angry at me, when they are frustrated.
Does this mean we only behave as people want us to ?
Where is my original thought in this process, because I see 'my thoughts' as the part of other peoples thoughts who are the indicators for my self-awareness and development.
We have the abilities & skills to exercise the / a power(s) to control our thoughts, feelings actions, especially the 'decisions' we make as a result of our thinking.
ReplyDeleteYour friends do not necessarily make your decisions, or do they? If they do, or don't, then do they assume responsibility for the consequences of your decisions & actions?
Regards,
Faheem
Also who lets them make your decisions?
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Faheem
The opinion of friends/relative can mold my decision and they influence me in many ways, I want to know about the capacity of individual's sovereignty against the norms and values of society.
ReplyDeleteExample: A woman who sells her body for the sake of money or pleasure.She bears the resistance from the society and goes against the unacceptable society,but at the same time, people around her responsible for her to decide this as profession and live this form of life.
At the end of the day, we are being dictated by the people, by the system and by society around us, I think it also influence our creativity, it is restriction on 'new thoughts and ideas'...
Feedback Please !
Lets take another example for further clarification of my question, Think about a farmer, who is leaving somewhere in small village,lets think about his thinking what he will think about his life..
ReplyDeleteHe is worried about his land,seeds,water and issues related to agriculture, because he is depending on it. (Economical incentive)
He could be worried about his family, including the education of his children and health of his family..
Rest of his life is revolving in these two major issues, what 'new' can/would he is thinking by his own, that others people are not telling him to think and do..
Sir dont you think that perspectives are an integral part of critical thinking, as in when people deliver their opinion or perspective about ourselves we tend to change ourselves, because writing or other skills are innate. it is just someone needs to identify them
ReplyDeleteHey.
ReplyDeleteThe question is very interesting indeed.
However one must understand that the thoughts that we have are the ones influenced by our environment, the process of socialization basically, primary and secondary.
Critical thinking helps us identify the thought process and clarify it, accept it, change it, disregard it even.
The fact that you sat and thought of how your thinking is just a combination of what your friends, family and surroundings have to say demonstrates how you critically analyzed yourself and sat and narrowed down your thought process.
As for the farmer, I’m sure people aren’t going around telling him to worry about his kids and his land. It’s just the way he's conditioned to think. He's the breadwinner and that’s what they are supposed to do. Worry about getting the food on the table. Plain and simple. Now what different can he think? He can go to the city and maybe think of moving there to increase his standard of living after critically analyzing the idea, and weighing the pros and cons.
I agree with Sir's 'restriction on new thoughts and ideas' point. No doubt. The people who think out of the box or are different in any way are actually seen with contempt and are shunned sometimes. But these are the people who become that gorgeous model on the front page of Italian Vogue, Barrack Obama (who thought there would ever be a black president) and the next Lady Gaga, and Muhammad Yunus even.
What is thinking 'Out of the box', Is it going against the ethics and standards of society, Is it violence ??
ReplyDeleteHello, Well sarmad answering your last question i would say that thinking out of the box is not always going against the society. You define yourself by how you think. It doesn't always have to be someone who channelizes your thought process. You develop it yourself. Thinking out of the box simply means to be different. To go and have the courage to think beyond what people normally think. It can also be described as thinking from all sides and taking into account all aspects of a situation or an argument. I believe that sometimes when you truly believe in a cause then you must fight for it even if it means that you have to go against the society at times.
ReplyDeletewhen you think different as Sir pointed out, people point fingers at you but it is always up to the person to judge whether he is right or wrong. Do you let others do your thinking for you? Or do you have certain goals yourself in life?
http://nafisajohar.blogspot.com/2010/07/mirror-mirror-on-wall-whos-fairest-of.html
ReplyDeletethis is something i wrote a few months back. Maybe it will help you understand things better. Try linking it with how you think and want to be different.
Thank you Komal and Nafisa for making things easier for me...yet I think all of us are suffering with this internal conflict weather what is important. Should I be the one, the way I want do, least bothered about ethics, restrictions and criticism or Should I behave like all else forgetting that 'Out of Box' thing..
ReplyDeleteAgree with Miqtad's point of view about perspectives role in making our perceptions and decisions..I am not sure, whether I got your point or not,but so far..
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about changing yourself on the external pressure of the opinion...depends on the person, his/her credibility and the opinion itself.
If the mother asks the son to leave the smoking, its easy to change this habit but if girl friend asks to leave the smoking, this might take time..
See Sarmad itz up to you to decide which way you want. If I or anyone else were to tell you then alter on in life you ill one day ask yourself that am i doing what i do because "I" want to or is it because people shaped my thoughts that way.
ReplyDeleteSometimes its good to follow rules, religion, societal norms etc but it is always wise to have your own understanding of things as well.
For example what we did in class today was all about finding yourself and knowing what you want and how much you believe in it. think back to the answers and believes that u wrote today and the ratings that you gave yourself. that may give you an idea about how you see yourself.
Its not about either thinking Out Of The Box or just following what people do. Itz not like you have to choose ONE path. NO! you can do both as well and be happy!
Very good points Nafisa.
ReplyDeleteSarmad, I suggest you copy this whole dialogue b/w yourself/Nafisa & Miqdad, paste it in some word file. Print it, read it it. Then read it reflectively, & jot down - on another piece of paper - your thoughts. If there are too many at one go, then use a mind map. The act of re-visualizing a thought process can be quite
illuminating. Check it out.
Begin to identify your own thought process about the issue you raised yourself. Don't forget to understand why you asked or raised the issue in the first place. Your motivation or reasons for asking such issues/questions is probably the place where your answers are hiding.
Also - as a hint - keep in mind the possible differences you might distinguish between personal boundaries & personal barriers. How might you address this 'issue' 20 years from now when you are older, more mature, at a different stage in your life? Are there questions in /of life that only experiences & age help unfold?
Regards,
Faheem
Interesting, I'll do that sir.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Sorry: I forgot to emntion...Hajra: you've also made relevant points in this discussion, & also in a persuasive (unassuming) tone / way as well. Good.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought and interesting response. It was with my first psychology course that I realised how much inflence external factors have on us and how they help shape our personality and what an integral part they form of our identity. It is the famous nature versus nurture or innante versus learnt debate. Armed with this knowlege that every experience of life becomes a part of us, it is crucial to question ourselves how much of us are what we really are and how much are what we are made by life and other people. Life has brought many changes in this but how much of this have we smoothly accepted and made part of ourself and how are we doing just because of pressures of expectations. Are we what we are because this is what is expected of us. Critical thinking is a tool that has empowered us to understand ourselves, it enables us to be more self aware. Awareness is the first step towards making the changes in our personality as we want. Once we realise how much outside influences we can endeavour to change the situation.
ReplyDelete