THERE are many of us who used to think that governments and media would keep us informed of important information, but we now find ourselves questioning that assumption and finding it to be false in many instances. It is an example of the vital importance of critical thought. Chances are that you remember the moment when your perspective shifted; when a long-held belief no longer made sense. For some, these moments can lead to difficult consequences – losing friends, alienating family members, even facing professional setbacks. So how can we avoid these traps in the future? How can we ensure that we’re making decisions based on reality, not on assumptions or misinformation?

Let’s test your thinking with a simple riddle. A father and son are involved in a tragic accident. The father dies, and the son is rushed into surgery. The surgeon looks at the boy and says: ‘I can’t operate on him, he’s my son.’ How is this possible? Believe it or not, only 15 per cent of people get this right. But why? Our unconscious beliefs, biases and processes cannot be switched off and most will realise only at the end that they have misinterpreted the information and need to re-read it, consciously, critically thinking. The surgeon is, of course, the boy’s mother. It illustrates how easily our judgment can be clouded and keep us from seeing the truth until we pause and think critically.

At its core, critical thinking is the skill of analysing and evaluating information to make sound decisions. It’s a mental toolkit that helps us make better choices, solve problems more effectively, and understand the world with greater clarity. We live in a world where media outlets, social networks, and even political leaders constantly bombard us with news and opinion, often in biased, selective, and self-serving ways. How do we filter out the noise and understand what’s truly important? How do we act in light of reason and sound evidence, rather than being manipulated by political and media elites? How do we make our informed opinions count, and build a truly free and selfgoverning society, even though many aspects of our lives seem to be dictated by states and giant corporations? Could critical thinking be the antidote to the trends in society towards technocracy, mind-numbing consumerism, authoritarian governance, and political polarisation? This is where your ability to think critically becomes vital – not just for personal growth, but for the health of your community, neighbourhood, city and/or nation. An effective and resilient political system depends on a strong civil society.

Civil society is strongest when individuals challenge assumptions, question the status quo, and demand truth and truthfulness from each other and from their institutions. Critical thinking is essential for participating in this process and for creating a society where freedom of thought can thrive. So, how can you sharpen your critical thinking?

Here are some powerful, research-backed strategies that can help:

1. Ask the right questions: when encountering new information, resist the urge to accept it at face value. Who is presenting the information? Do they have an interest in presenting it from a biased perspective? What evidence supports it? Are there alternative explanations you haven’t considered?

2. Look for hidden assumptions: every contribute to discussions that shape a better society. As the cornerstone of a thriving civil society, it’s not just about personal growth – it’s about creating a community that values truth, freedom, and reason.

3. Recognise your own biases: we all have biases whether we acknowledge them or not. The key is to recognise them and actively seek out different viewpoints. Being open to change when presented with new evidence is one of the hallmarks of critical thinking.

4. Evaluate sources carefully: with the rise of fake news and clickbait, it’s more important than ever to question the credibility of your sources. Research shows that people are more likely to believe information from familiar sources, even if it’s false. By checking the reliability of your sources, you can make better decisions.

5. Draw conclusions based on evidence, not emotion: critical thinking requires assessment of facts and evidence, not just relying on emotional reactions. The more you base your conclusions on reliable evidence, the more precise your thinking will be. By honing these skills, we can navigate life’s challenges more effectively and

contribute to discussions that shape a better society. As the cornerstone of a thriving civil society, it’s not just about personal growth – it’s about creating a community that values truth, freedom, and reason.

In a world full of manipulation, propaganda, and media spin, exercising critical thinking allows us to challenge those who spread misinformation and protect the integrity of our democratic systems. This is why it’s so important to invest time and energy into developing these skills. They’re not just useful for individual decisions – they are the foundation of a society where rational discourse can flourish and the public is empowered to make informed choices. If you want to thrive in a world where information is constantly changing, you need to sharpen your critical thinking skills. By doing so, you can contribute to a more informed, free-thinking society – one that challenges false narratives and promotes progress.

● For more insights and techniques, please visit: https://reachingpeople.net/