Critical thinking is the capability to think rationally and clearly. Critical thinkers have the ability to understand logical links between issues. Critical thinkers engage in reflective and independent thinking. Use of one’s reason is crucial in critical thinking just as being an active learner is important. Critical thinkers do not just accept ideas and assumptions without questioning the validity of those ideas or assumptions.
People face problems every day in their lives and there is need of solving these problems as they come. For me, it is not different and therefore, I use critical thinking in problem-solving. Critical thinking helps me in identify the exact problem that I am facing and then I analyze it from different perspectives to ascertain the nature of the problem. This critical analysis helps me to come up with several different ways of solving my problem from which the best and easiest way I choose to use. Critical thinking helps me to approach problems rationally, with a clear mind and with a perspective that every problem has a solution.
I use my critical thinking ability to identify, construct and evaluate arguments. When communicating, it is important to identify arguments because identification of an argument helps in evaluation of the argument. When I identify an argument, I use my critical thinking abilities to evaluate the premise and the conclusion to determine the validity of the argument. Some people use assumptions or opinions in their arguments and it invalidates the conclusion and using critical thinking helps me to identify such arguments. Critical thinking helps me evaluate the arguments with an open mind and logically without involving personal bias. I also use critical thinking in constructing my own arguments that have factual premises and conclusions and therefore, they are valid arguments.
I use critical thinking in identifying fallacies and stereotypes. There are lots of stereotypes and fallacies in the contemporary world that have been repeated several times that they are assumed as facts. Through my critical thinking abilities, I am able to identify this fallacies and stereotypes and avoid making conclusions based on them. Stereotypes based on gender, religion, or even race are misplaced and do not apply to all the people of that generalization and hence should not be used to conclude an argument. Some friends of mine who do not think critically use such stereotypes in their conclusions and thus they invalidate their arguments while on the other hand, as a critical thinker, I am able to identify them in arguments as well as avoid using them in my arguments.
In conclusion, it is clear that critical thinking involves thinking logically and clearly and it helps people in very many situations. Since problems are part of life, the ability to think critically in solving these problems for a better future and for better life perspectives. It is crucial that critical thinking is used in construction and evaluation of arguments to limit chances of conflicting ideas. When people thinking critically, they give valid arguments that limit chances conflicts rather it builds trust and peace. Some people conclude their arguments based on stereotypes and fallacies and this invalidates their arguments. Critical thinkers have the ability to identify fallacies and stereotypes and thus avoid conclusions that are based on this.
