Obviously a topic near and dear to my heart! You touch on this a little and something I like to emphasize is that critical thinking and being critical aren’t the same. It’s easy to fall into being overly analytic and critical of all things, especially as a scientist.
One of the things I loved having my students do when I was teaching is to have them look at a study and talk about what was done well and where there could be improvement. Critical thinking involves both sides. Acknowledging what’s beautiful, and challenging what may need a little more.
I’ll never forget being in grad school, sitting in class listening to my classmates absolutely decimate every study we read, only talking about the flaws. My only thought was “this author could be us. These are our people. They aren’t all terrible scientists”. Through some work, we shifted and started talking about what was good about the work (and what was flawed). You can learn from both perspectives.
Thank you, Dr Brittany :) I really appreciate this. I think you’ve touched on what is, to me, the most common misconception about critical thinking: that it simply means being critical. But as you describe, it’s a balanced, reflective practice. One that invites us to recognise both strengths & limitations!
Yes, Mike, critical thinking is often seen as belonging to certain fields, but it’s truly a life skill. It can help us not only make better decisions but also reflect more kindly and clearly on our own thoughts and emotions <3
Thank you, Jakob, for reading and for taking the time to leave such a nice comment. I am with you on this. If we were taught how to think critically from an early age, we would be better equipped to avoid so many kinds of struggles, both at the individual and social level.
Superb explanation! Identifying the question first as empirical, non-empirical or philosophical is my takeaway for this. I've always jumped into concepts with same approach but this seems right as the first step.
The ethical & technical thinking often pull in different directions, right? And bringing them together does seem vital, especially in today’s world. I’m grateful for how your writing keeps nudging us to do exactly that.
I read your article . Psychology has been my favorite subject . It attracts me a lot . I write about emotional sensitivity and the hidden architecture of feeling .Having been a highly emotionally sensitive person , I always felt misunderstood because people would not understand the depth of what I was trying to present. So reading this felt like home .
Thank you, Pelle :) Emotional sensitivity is often overlooked, yet it holds so much richness and complexity. I love psychology too, and share your feeling of being drawn to the hidden architecture of emotion :)
I really appreciate your acknowledgment of the emotional aspects of critical thinking. Recognizing our cognitive biases and emotional responses is crucial in fostering empathy and understanding, especially when advocating for marginalized communities.
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate you highlighting this! It is striking how often the emotional and relational side of critical thinking is overlooked. Yet it plays a vital role in how we engage with others and advocate meaningfully.
Great stuff Dom, I like to think that I knew what critical thinking was prior to reading this, but if asked to define it I might have struggled to get anywhere near correct.
I think there are certain empirical, logical things that are easily considered but when you start thinking about ethical considerations that's where the real fun starts because there's likely no true answers anymore.
Yes, Mark, ethical questions bring a different kind of complexity, where answers aren’t always clear or final. That’s where critical thinking really stretches us (me) & like you said, that’s where the “fun” (and challenge) begins.
I don’t think I realised I did this for fun until just now, but I like to drop ethical dilemmas in the office to see what people would do in that hypothetical situation.
“You find £1,000 in an envelope in the park, nobody sees you pick it up, what do you do.”
“While out running you see a man assault a child, there’s nobody else around, what do you do.”
That type of thing, it’s really interesting to hear people’s answers, of course there’s the public answer and the actual answer but I think that sometimes even you won’t know what you would do until you’re in that situation.
Of course I also ask questions like, would you rather fight one gorilla sized mouse, or 100 mouse sized gorillas, so it’s not all quite so cerebral in my office!
Yes I think ethical considerations are where we do our hardest and most taxing work in our conscious brains, both on our own and in groups. It’s the toughest of spade work that we do there, and, arguably, maybe the thing that makes us more human than animal when we apply carefully thought through good ethics to our environment and networks.
But on the other hand……you know how we can all epic fail ethical decisions on a personal and global scale 🤦🏼♀️
The challenge & the responsibility of ethical thinking.... It asks us not only to question but to stay accountable to the answers we’re willing to stand by!
I heard it said yesterday from a very reputable source that “a person is smart, people are dumb” and you get the best examples of that when people get together in groups and discuss the same things. THe melting pot of opinions and beliefs, the strong people who lead the discussion, the bullies, the quiet people who know things but don’t speak up. Most of the time it’s low stakes stuff, but I went to a show the other night where we, the audience was the jury, we were presented with a real life case, with evidence from the trial and during the “deliberation” there were some opinions shared that made me scared if I was ever wrongly on trial for anything. The audience as a whole got the correct verdict, but the suspect in the real case that it was based on served 8 years as an innocent man.
The reputable source who said the quote was Tommy Lee Miller in the Comedy Men in Black. Wise words in such a silly film!
Definitely agree that we have not got group dynamics right yet in the modern age. Group discussion skills should also be covered when people are taught emotional intelligence skills (I wish it was taught in schools)
I would like to think that I employ critical thinking at all times, but that is largely an impossibility. I think I'd even go so far as to say that I use critical thinking far too often, or at the least, something that resembles critical thinking. Lets call it habitual skepticism on anything I do not consider myself very well informed about. Even then, there is a chance I still do it.
The point is that critical thinking is a very important thing to foster in yourself and others, but it can become something other than the noble protector of virtue that it seems to be. I also think that it requires complete honest with yourself because of those dispositions you explained. If we cannot understand the contour of our own inner workings, we cannot take advantage of what critical thinking bestows.
In fact, at what point does critical thinking become too critical? Such as I am prone to do much of the time? Honestly, I am asking as humbly as I can because despite thinking about it off and on for years, I am no closer to an answer. I wonder if it's not a blind spot within myself that I simply cannot get rid of. We all have them, I'd think.
Annnnnddddd, this is not even remotely the direction I had planned to go in this comment. I was going to walk through the process starting with one of the questions you posed, "Does God exist?" and work through it to the conclusion. However, I see now that would have probably been a comment of epic length, because right off the top of my head I can give you a dozen different factors that would need to be considered.
And there is something to be said about the fact that even before doing so, I could give you the answer I would have landed on. This is because I've already gone down that rabbit hole, I think, and the website I made still stands testimate to that fact. But perhaps it's not only due to that. Maybe it is bias, even though I could not tell you from where I picked it up.
Great, informative post as always. One that everyone can benefit from, again.
I see habitual, healthy scepticism as a valuable trait, and I think being “too critical” only becomes a problem if we start confusing critical thinking with simply criticising. But from what you have shared, it sounds like you are very aware of that distinction, which is such an important part of it.
And I love that you brought up the question of God’s existence. I find questions in the realm of consciousness and existence endlessly fascinating. I often say it is my favourite topic of discussion. I have gone back & forth with my own conclusions many times before.
Thank you for your kind words about this post, Ryan. It means a lot :)
I’ve just read a post about hot (emotion driven) and cool (logical) decision making and how it moves from one to the other as a person matures into adulthood. Of course this is a glorious oversimplification of a much more complicated process but it makes a great soundbite. It also leaves out the obvious point that some people never seem to mature into adulthood ever, and children and young people are often on the receiving end of “hot” decision making by the above adults just mentioned. Dom looks at it properly though, so I really can think about how to make good decisions. I’m rambling now, I think you have infected me with a rambling thing.
Obviously a topic near and dear to my heart! You touch on this a little and something I like to emphasize is that critical thinking and being critical aren’t the same. It’s easy to fall into being overly analytic and critical of all things, especially as a scientist.
One of the things I loved having my students do when I was teaching is to have them look at a study and talk about what was done well and where there could be improvement. Critical thinking involves both sides. Acknowledging what’s beautiful, and challenging what may need a little more.
I’ll never forget being in grad school, sitting in class listening to my classmates absolutely decimate every study we read, only talking about the flaws. My only thought was “this author could be us. These are our people. They aren’t all terrible scientists”. Through some work, we shifted and started talking about what was good about the work (and what was flawed). You can learn from both perspectives.
Thank you, Dr Brittany :) I really appreciate this. I think you’ve touched on what is, to me, the most common misconception about critical thinking: that it simply means being critical. But as you describe, it’s a balanced, reflective practice. One that invites us to recognise both strengths & limitations!
I used to think critical thinking was just for scientists or philosophers, but I have been told otherwise, that it is a life skill!
Yes, Mike, critical thinking is often seen as belonging to certain fields, but it’s truly a life skill. It can help us not only make better decisions but also reflect more kindly and clearly on our own thoughts and emotions <3
Brilliant post. I think that we need more posts like these. We should encourage teaching this in schools. And we should value this as a society.
So many problems wouldn't exist if people thought critically even 50% of the time.
Thank you, Jakob, for reading and for taking the time to leave such a nice comment. I am with you on this. If we were taught how to think critically from an early age, we would be better equipped to avoid so many kinds of struggles, both at the individual and social level.
I would love to see emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills taught in schools.
I wonder why it isn't? :/
Superb explanation! Identifying the question first as empirical, non-empirical or philosophical is my takeaway for this. I've always jumped into concepts with same approach but this seems right as the first step.
Thank you, Mayank. Yes, I think when it comes to having a productive discussion, the “one-size-fits-all” approach can be quite limiting.
Thinking about ethical problems and thinking about tech problems - definitely two things which need to be going hand in hand much more.
The ethical & technical thinking often pull in different directions, right? And bringing them together does seem vital, especially in today’s world. I’m grateful for how your writing keeps nudging us to do exactly that.
Thank you for stopping by Joanna :)
Hello Dom ,
I read your article . Psychology has been my favorite subject . It attracts me a lot . I write about emotional sensitivity and the hidden architecture of feeling .Having been a highly emotionally sensitive person , I always felt misunderstood because people would not understand the depth of what I was trying to present. So reading this felt like home .
I am so glad to have come across your newsletter.
Regards Pelle .
Thank you, Pelle :) Emotional sensitivity is often overlooked, yet it holds so much richness and complexity. I love psychology too, and share your feeling of being drawn to the hidden architecture of emotion :)
This post is rich with wisdom and certainty. Thank you for sharing ☺️
That’s such a kind thing to say :) thank you! I’m really glad you found it meaningful.
I really appreciate your acknowledgment of the emotional aspects of critical thinking. Recognizing our cognitive biases and emotional responses is crucial in fostering empathy and understanding, especially when advocating for marginalized communities.
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate you highlighting this! It is striking how often the emotional and relational side of critical thinking is overlooked. Yet it plays a vital role in how we engage with others and advocate meaningfully.
Agreed, were too worried about what other people think to be truly honest in face to face group discussions.
I love your brain! 🧠 ❤️🧠 Uplifting and stimulating to read.
Likewise, Sarah :) I always appreciate the way you think & reflect.
Thank you so much for the constant encouragement <3
Great stuff Dom, I like to think that I knew what critical thinking was prior to reading this, but if asked to define it I might have struggled to get anywhere near correct.
I think there are certain empirical, logical things that are easily considered but when you start thinking about ethical considerations that's where the real fun starts because there's likely no true answers anymore.
Yes, Mark, ethical questions bring a different kind of complexity, where answers aren’t always clear or final. That’s where critical thinking really stretches us (me) & like you said, that’s where the “fun” (and challenge) begins.
Thank you for stopping by Mark <3
I don’t think I realised I did this for fun until just now, but I like to drop ethical dilemmas in the office to see what people would do in that hypothetical situation.
“You find £1,000 in an envelope in the park, nobody sees you pick it up, what do you do.”
“While out running you see a man assault a child, there’s nobody else around, what do you do.”
That type of thing, it’s really interesting to hear people’s answers, of course there’s the public answer and the actual answer but I think that sometimes even you won’t know what you would do until you’re in that situation.
Of course I also ask questions like, would you rather fight one gorilla sized mouse, or 100 mouse sized gorillas, so it’s not all quite so cerebral in my office!
I'd love to hear all the answers! Hahaha
Yes I think ethical considerations are where we do our hardest and most taxing work in our conscious brains, both on our own and in groups. It’s the toughest of spade work that we do there, and, arguably, maybe the thing that makes us more human than animal when we apply carefully thought through good ethics to our environment and networks.
But on the other hand……you know how we can all epic fail ethical decisions on a personal and global scale 🤦🏼♀️
The challenge & the responsibility of ethical thinking.... It asks us not only to question but to stay accountable to the answers we’re willing to stand by!
I heard it said yesterday from a very reputable source that “a person is smart, people are dumb” and you get the best examples of that when people get together in groups and discuss the same things. THe melting pot of opinions and beliefs, the strong people who lead the discussion, the bullies, the quiet people who know things but don’t speak up. Most of the time it’s low stakes stuff, but I went to a show the other night where we, the audience was the jury, we were presented with a real life case, with evidence from the trial and during the “deliberation” there were some opinions shared that made me scared if I was ever wrongly on trial for anything. The audience as a whole got the correct verdict, but the suspect in the real case that it was based on served 8 years as an innocent man.
The reputable source who said the quote was Tommy Lee Miller in the Comedy Men in Black. Wise words in such a silly film!
Definitely agree that we have not got group dynamics right yet in the modern age. Group discussion skills should also be covered when people are taught emotional intelligence skills (I wish it was taught in schools)
I would like to think that I employ critical thinking at all times, but that is largely an impossibility. I think I'd even go so far as to say that I use critical thinking far too often, or at the least, something that resembles critical thinking. Lets call it habitual skepticism on anything I do not consider myself very well informed about. Even then, there is a chance I still do it.
The point is that critical thinking is a very important thing to foster in yourself and others, but it can become something other than the noble protector of virtue that it seems to be. I also think that it requires complete honest with yourself because of those dispositions you explained. If we cannot understand the contour of our own inner workings, we cannot take advantage of what critical thinking bestows.
In fact, at what point does critical thinking become too critical? Such as I am prone to do much of the time? Honestly, I am asking as humbly as I can because despite thinking about it off and on for years, I am no closer to an answer. I wonder if it's not a blind spot within myself that I simply cannot get rid of. We all have them, I'd think.
Annnnnddddd, this is not even remotely the direction I had planned to go in this comment. I was going to walk through the process starting with one of the questions you posed, "Does God exist?" and work through it to the conclusion. However, I see now that would have probably been a comment of epic length, because right off the top of my head I can give you a dozen different factors that would need to be considered.
And there is something to be said about the fact that even before doing so, I could give you the answer I would have landed on. This is because I've already gone down that rabbit hole, I think, and the website I made still stands testimate to that fact. But perhaps it's not only due to that. Maybe it is bias, even though I could not tell you from where I picked it up.
Great, informative post as always. One that everyone can benefit from, again.
Be Well.
I see habitual, healthy scepticism as a valuable trait, and I think being “too critical” only becomes a problem if we start confusing critical thinking with simply criticising. But from what you have shared, it sounds like you are very aware of that distinction, which is such an important part of it.
And I love that you brought up the question of God’s existence. I find questions in the realm of consciousness and existence endlessly fascinating. I often say it is my favourite topic of discussion. I have gone back & forth with my own conclusions many times before.
Thank you for your kind words about this post, Ryan. It means a lot :)
I’ve just read a post about hot (emotion driven) and cool (logical) decision making and how it moves from one to the other as a person matures into adulthood. Of course this is a glorious oversimplification of a much more complicated process but it makes a great soundbite. It also leaves out the obvious point that some people never seem to mature into adulthood ever, and children and young people are often on the receiving end of “hot” decision making by the above adults just mentioned. Dom looks at it properly though, so I really can think about how to make good decisions. I’m rambling now, I think you have infected me with a rambling thing.
ماذا افعل لا افهم الانجليزي
Highlight and translate