We are exposed to more deepfakes, misinformation, and conspiracy theories, making it difficult to distinguish what is true and what is made up. Not only are these facets destabilizing, but they also combine to create an environment that is difficult for people to think about critically, limits questioning about its basic assumptions, and interferes with objectivity in analyzing what is being seen, heard, read, and believed.
Critical thinking is the process where, rather than accepting assertions at face value, you question assumptions, recognize biases, look for non-confirming evidence, and evaluate different perspectives using evidence-based data to reach the most objective conclusion possible.
Evaluating different perspectives is what always catches most people who say they use critical thinking because most people believe that critical thinking is just having a different perspective. It isn’t. It is looking at things from multiple (validated) perspectives to understand it more fully.
We live in a “post-truth” environment that encourages people to believe what “feels true” rather than that which is validated by evidence and empirical data.
In other words, people often believe their beliefs are reality, often without validating or checking them and not having desire to do so. In other words, “I’m right and I know I’m right, so I don’t need to check anything.”
There are many ways that we can enhance our critical thinking, both at the individual and societal levels. Individually, you can resolve to question everything rather than taking information at face value. Questioning everything includes questioning your own thinking, asking: “Why do I believe this?”
Critical thought, based on diverse, empirical information, promotes a myriad of other capacities, including problem-solving, creativity, empathy, ethical reasoning, and self-awareness. Critical thinking empowers us to navigate the complexities of modern living and make informed, thoughtful decisions, and it can lead to more just and resilient societies.