5. You have a closed mind.
This is what it all comes down to. Do you really want to hear what others have to say? Are you able to acknowledge different perspectives and form your opinion accordingly? Or are you one of those annoying kids I grew up with that just repeats himself over and over, rather than accepting a difference in perspectives?
If you have a closed mind, you’re certainly guilty of one or more of the previous 4 points.
If you decide you’re going to form an argument, you better not expect to be taken seriously if you refuse to value the opinions of others and make a coherent conclusion based on all facts.
And ultimately, this is why so many arguments are laughable to the critical thinkers. They can see when someone is closed minded and that they refuse to acknowledge the opinions of others. And just because someone thinks they’re right and want to believe they’re right, doesn’t mean they ARE right.
Critical thinking is an undervalued skill in this current information-bombarding state of our planet.
With so many opinions coming at you from all directions, forming a coherent conclusion is not easy.
Everyone wants you to believe something different. And far too much of it is simply lies. Lies that are used to alter your perception so that you abandon your critical thinking and take these terrible opinions and arguments at face value (Never do that!).
Research your own opinions. Search for both sides. Find the middle ground. Understand that it isn’t always black and white, if ever. Avoid the tendency to want to be right. Avoid others who are obsessed with being right. The obsession with being right comes from a fear of being wrong.
Address that fear. There is nothing wrong, with being wrong. Only a person humble enough to accept that they are wrong can truly be a critical thinker.
Want to get better at critical thinking? 2 exercises for you.
Here’s your first exercise – what strong opinion do you hold that seems unquestionable? Go and find all the reasons you could be wrong. Humble yourself in your opinion.
You’ll definitely learn something. And maybe you’re even more right than you thought you were!
For your second exercise, learn how to meditate. Meditation develops open-mindedness and therefore develops critical thinking.
Thanks for reading!
Share with someone you think could benefit from knowledge on critical thinking!