Is it possible that in concentrating on one thing so much we can fail to see what is right in front of our eyes. If I stop to think about a matter using only my brain, am I actually being receptive to all other information that I am receiving through my senses? We as humans have an innate tendency to concentrate on only that which is beneficial for us and block out everything else. So where does critical thinking go? Pretty much out the door, right? Or not?
Watch this video and follow the instructions carefully, and try not to ruin it for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo
Wow..I like the concept...It means we only see what we want to..We cant think in term of what we say 'Multi-perspective' at one time..
ReplyDelete@Sanam,
ReplyDeleteIf we were defaulted at concentrating on 'beneficial' things only, then how would you explain addiction?
Perhaps you meant things that give us a sense of order, gratification, physiological pleasure, etc.
What about techniques in various genre of spirituality? Does not that also help one to enhance ones concentration?
Regards,
Faheem
I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear, but yes I meant beneficial in a very personal sense. And if we are talking about addictions then, there too, people tend to solely look for what they want from their addiction. It gives them something that they feel they cannot get from anything else. Now whether or not that is harming them is a matter they block out or choose not to concentrate on, for the most part.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to spirituality, I dont think that i know enough about that to comment, but even then I believe that when one is in meditation, for instance, they are trying to harness a part of themselves. So where is the critical thinking, somewhere in that deep state of thought? I'd really like to know your thoughts on this.
thank you.
It is true that we see only what we want to see. Isn't this what pre conceived notions are? It's amazing how biased, prejudiced, or one-sided we can be some times. One of the things that I like the most about critical thinking is that it enables us to be aware of our biases and the assumptions that we make about certain things and to look past them. In a way it frees us from ourselves. Maybe it is not possible to be completely objective at any time, but critical thinking attempts to achieve this as much as is possible. And most importantly, it opens our eyes to our own limited or colored vision by telling us of our own subjectivity and comparing it with objectivity.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. We do at times look at only one aspect of things. Sometimes unintentionally and at other because we choose to. However, not all addictions can be attributed to a lack of critical thinking. I think that it is possible to know that something is harmful to us, to be well aware of its negative effects and yet decide to go on with it. Many addicts know that they are addicted and its deterimental to their health, but they just do not want to give it up. Critical thinking empowers us with knowledge, improves our understanding, but it does not always govern our actions. I am sure that many critical thinkers are also engaged in harmful activities or have addictions that they do not give up.
ReplyDeleteits perception. and i totally agree with it. it is what we perceive. smoking is harmful but the satisfaction we gain, helps us eliminate the risks we will face in the future
ReplyDelete