Critical thinking: the art of doubting and making the right decisions

Want to make better decisions, be less susceptible to manipulation, and have more constructive conversations? All of this comes not just from being well-read, but from having developed critical thinking — a mental super skill that allows you not just to consume information, but to own it.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information, evaluate its validity, and draw informed conclusions. It involves asking questions, identifying biases, distinguishing between facts and opinions, and considering different points of view.

We often hear that critical thinking helps combat fakes, but in fact it goes far beyond combating disinformation. It is, first of all, a way of thinking that is useful to apply to everything. Critical thinking helps make more informed decisions, avoid manipulation, and participate in constructive discussions. A person with a critical mindset is not only resistant to manipulation and stereotypical ideas about reality, but is also able to impartially perceive any point of view, even if it contradicts his beliefs. Imagine that for thousands of years people believed in something specific, and then the paradigm changed: something new was discovered, the old was debunked. A person with a critical mind will study the arguments and newly discovered facts, and will not cling to established views just because they are familiar.

How to develop critical thinking

• Expand your horizons. Read books, attend performances and exhibitions. The more you learn, the broader your understanding of measure and people becomes. Do not judge, but try to perceive and understand.
• Study materials that go beyond your information bubble and algorithm recommendations – in other words, read things you don’t like and disagree with. Try to objectively understand someone else’s arguments in order to possibly find your own errors of perception. At the same time, it is important to remember a significant nuance: in the process, you may discover that your information bubble is not perfect, and you were wrong. This will be painful, but this stage must be passed. Develop self-awareness.
• Use the questioning technique. To find root causes and to think more broadly about any topic, try to look at the situation from different points of view – look for answers to the questions “Why?” and “For what purpose?” When reading articles, think about whether the author is manipulating the reader’s opinion by highlighting some points and leaving others, no less important, in the shadows?
• Observe your thoughts when making decisions and sometimes stop yourself with a question. Why did I think this was so? Who told me this? Where did I read this? Who is the one who put this thought into my head? Why should I trust him? And is it worth it?
• Practice. Attend debates — choose a point of view that is not close to you, and try to both refute and prove it.
• Be aware of emotions and thinking errors, so-called cognitive distortions. Some actions and conclusions, including yours, can be explained by simple human emotions and feelings – jealousy, anger or fear.
  
  For example, if a certain statement is repeated many times from different sources, people begin to believe it to be true, even without clear evidence. This is called the “placebo truth effect.”
  
  In addition, people unconsciously try to seek out and use only information that confirms their point of view. This phenomenon is called “confirmation bias,” and it can greatly influence not only personal views, but also public opinion.
• Conduct emotional reflection at the end of your reasoning. What if you make a decision based on emotions? Maybe you reject arguments because of personal dislike for the interlocutor? What if there is no solution because there is selfish interest involved. The main thing is not to go into fantasy. We can never be one hundred percent sure of anything when it comes to a wide range of participants.
  
  How to critically evaluate information
  
  1. Separate fact from assumptions, opinions and statements based on experience.
  
  2. Question the argument and provide evidence to support or refute it.
  
  3. Make sure there is enough information. If not, search in different trusted sources.
  
  4. Draw conclusions only after completing the first three points.
  
  
  Using critical thinking is not the same as being a bore. While criticizing and refuting everything in the world, do not forget to offer alternative solutions.
  
  Developing critical thinking is not a one-day course, but a constant practice. It is a willingness to admit that your picture of the world may be incomplete, and the courage to revise it in the face of new facts. This does not make life easier, but it makes it more conscious. Ultimately, this thinking is the best investment in your personal freedom: freedom from other people’s manipulations, imposed stereotypes, and your own cognitive errors.