Critical Thinking about Critical Thinking

     

 A500.5.3.RB - Critical Thinking about Critical Thinking

     When I first started the leadership program I was a bit robotic with my way of thinking. I basically absorbed and regurgitated information that was fed to me. I never thought to question the information that I was receiving and never put much of my own thought into the work I turned it. In other words,  It was more like I was trying to show how well I understood the knowledge that I was fed instead of giving my thoughts on that subject.

     For example, In the five weeks that I have been in this class I feel as though I am finally learning to “think” and not just absorb. The biggest thing I have learned to do is to ask why. By asking why something is one way often leads to other questions and other questions lead to a better understanding of that subject. It’s one thing to be able to spit out facts about a certain subject, but it is an entirely new feeling when I truly understand the how and why of that information. 

     I feel as though the critical thinking strategies I have learned so far have redefined the way I look at things. From watching television, to listening to what my doctor has to say, I am finding that I have to set aside my emotions and even sometimes my ego in order to ask why. It also makes me feel as though I can't trust any information until I am thoroughly satisfied that I have a better understanding of it.

     I have also noticed that this new way of looking at things and thinking about things actually takes a conscious effort. It is so much easier to just take things at face value and trust the information that you are receiving.  Of course, I realize that digging deeper and gaining a better understanding is not always called for. I don’t really want to know why a brick pizza oven gives you better pizza, I just know it does and that’s that, but for some reason the simple task of asking why did not always come to me when I did want to have a better understanding of something. 

     The thing that I have been working on that will make a lasting positive change in the way I think is to be more methodical about how I think. To go through a problem or question systematically and ask what exactly is the problem and how can I put it into question form. 

     It’s kind of like being a three year old all over again with the never-ending barrage of why’s. The only difference is that this time the why’s lead to buts and buts lead to how come’s, which in turn take me back to why. This time around there is a strategy that will help keep the why’s in check. By first identifying the situation, my initial response, then an analysis of it all, it will allow me to assess the information to gain a better understanding.