Mariia Yarmolenko Conversation 1

In general, critical thinking is a process of analyzing our thoughts and understanding things around us. However, in his video, Gary Meegan gives a more academic definition of critical thinking, referring to Dr. Richard Paul. His definition is “Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it.” At the same time, Jesse Richardson describes critical thinking as the ability to question things hard, identify nonsense, and simply accept that we may be wrong. Both speakers pointed out that critical thinking is important because it helps us analyze and evaluate our thoughts as other people’s thoughts. However, each of them adds something new to this thesis. Gary Meegan mentioned that critical thinking can figuratively get inside someone’s head. Also, he pointed out that when we think critically, we make better choices and act in line with our reasoning. It makes us better individuals who understand our role in the world and how we can improve it. To this point, Jesse Richardson emphasizes how creative and critical thinking in schools helps children to be more open-minded and curious. He states that if we start to teach kids how to think but not what to think, they become more adaptive, improve their problem-solving skills, and become more critical of what the teacher tells them. I agree with both authors, especially with Richardson. I always was a curious child, but I never found school subjects interesting. However, when I discovered critical thinking in 7th or 8th grade, I understood how the world is beautiful, especially from a scientific point of view, where critical thinking is crucial for science development. 

Everyone may be wrong, and it’s crucial to find out what is incorrect, even if it’s a doctor or teacher. That’s why critical thinking is essential in our modern world.

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