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.
3 thoughts on “Mariia Yarmolenko Conversation 1”
I love that you did more than expected in terms of word limit. It sort of feels like you poured your thoughts and heart into writing. And I’m not saying everyone didn’t, but I just like to see this. I love to see how you placed your own experience and connection to critical thinking. These things are something I can use to improve my work. I do also love your opinion. I also love how you use the speaker’s name when referring to them instead of calling them “first speaker”, “second speaker”. I like your explanations on Jesse Richardson. And for both speakers your definition is more detailed. Honestly, I don’t even see mistakes in your work. LOVE IT!!! (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)
I love the way you wrote this. It is intriguing when as a youth one discovers the way to (at least formally) think critically, we’ve been doing it all our lives in many senses but to truly get to a point where one understands what it is to have that critical inner dialogue its a very enlightening event in a way. I also agreed with both videos, Richardson having a longer video of course delved deeper into the subject and I learned a good bit from it. A lot of the time when we may look at many breakthroughs in thought whether it be in Science or the arts, it seems like these things spawned out of nowhere in someones mind, but the thought of said individual either in a group or on their lonesome having to develop the ability to have those mental debates with themselves to reach those breakthroughs, its quite a remarkable thought.
I think you’re certainly right that Critical Thinking induces an enthusiastic willingness and curiosity to learn, especially in children. I can recall many times in high school where teachers did not make an effort to allow me the opportunity to think through complex historical events and to inquire as to the motivations behind certain historical leaders. I can also recall not being allowed to experiment with writing style before being forcefully fed a formulaic rubric for how an essay should be written and organized. But I absolutely relished in, and thoroughly enjoyed those classes which allowed for Socratic discussion amongst classmates. This, I believe, is the best way to foster Critical Thinking, since, as the Ted Talk speaker suggests, we aren’t all that good at being self-critics. So engaging with classmates who would critique your thoughts would make you hone in on how exactly you are coming to a certain conclusion.