Taylors Blog

Before this module, I honestly thought critical thinking just meant thinking harder or being more logical. But after going through the material, I realized it is more about how you think and question things rather than just putting in effort.

One definition of critical thinking that stood out to me is the idea that it involves actively analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting information instead of just accepting it at face value. I like this definition because it actually connects to real life. We are constantly surrounded by information, especially on social media, and it is so easy to just believe things without questioning them. I have noticed that I tend to overanalyze things in general. If I see something online, I usually check who the source is, where the information is coming from, and what the purpose behind it might be. I always ask myself why something is being posted and what the intention is. This definition made me realize that what I sometimes think of as overthinking can actually be a form of critical thinking when I use it in a productive way.

The second definition I agree with is that critical thinking involves being open minded while also forming your own judgment. I think this is important because a lot of people either believe everything they hear or completely shut down other perspectives. I would say I am a pretty open minded person, and I like to see the whole picture when it comes to situations and opinions. At the same time, I have noticed that it can be really hard to have conversations with people who are not open minded and are very strong in their opinions. It makes it more difficult to have a real discussion because it can feel like they are not willing to consider other viewpoints. This definition stood out to me because it shows that critical thinking is not just about your own thoughts, but also how you interact with others and different perspectives.

These definitions stood out to me because they connect to my own experiences, especially in college. In classes like anthropology, I have learned to look at different cultures and ideas without immediately judging them. At the same time, I still have to think critically about what I am learning and how it applies in real life. Critical thinking is not just something you use for assignments, it is something that helps you understand people better and make smarter decisions.

Overall, this module helped me see that critical thinking is not about being right all the time. It is more about being aware, asking questions, and not just accepting everything you see or hear. It is something I am still improving, but I can see how important it is both in school and in everyday life.