Introduction
Critical thinking is essential for individuals to critically evaluate information, identify biases, and make informed decisions. Unfortunately, many people base their decisions on intuition or common sense, which can lead to erroneous thinking and the perpetuation of incorrect beliefs. The paper explores the contrasts between science and common sense, the relationships between common sense and beliefs, and how critical thinking can be influenced by the beliefs people hold.
Difference Between Common Sense and Science
Common sense is described as information gained through experience or observation. It is the ability to solve issues or make judgments using practical reasoning. In contrast, science is the methodical study of the natural world through empirical observation, experimentation, and analysis.
While common sense is essential in everyday life, it is frequently prejudiced, unreliable, and based on incorrect assumptions (Douglas, 2000). In contrast to common sense, which may lack a solid scientific basis, science employs procedures designed to eliminate bias. Science employs specific methodologies and precise measurements to conclude (Pope, 1998). Common sense, on the other hand, is founded on assumptions that have no scientific proof and cannot be used as evidence.
Connections Between Common Sense and People’s Beliefs
Belief persistence is the tendency to hold one’s views despite contradictory facts. It is a cognitive bias that can hinder critical thinking and perpetuate incorrect beliefs. When confronted with evidence contradicting their ideas, people may disregard it, distort it, or dismiss it entirely. This is especially troublesome when beliefs are founded on intuition rather than scientific proof (Paul & Elder, 2003).
How to Embed Critical Thinking into a Personal Belief System
There are several methods for fostering critical thinking in the face of personal beliefs. First, people should be aware of their biases and strive to stay open-minded when confronted with fresh facts. Second, before concluding, they should critically assess the facts and seek other hypotheses. Ultimately, they must be willing to reconsider their stance in light of new data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, critical thinking is essential for individuals to make informed decisions based on objective data. While common sense and beliefs can be valuable in everyday life, they can also be biased, untrustworthy, and founded on incorrect assumptions. Individuals must be aware of their biases, critically assess evidence, and be prepared to revise their opinions in light of new data to foster critical thinking. Scientific approaches provide a framework for objective analysis and, whenever possible, should be used to enable accurate and informed decision-making.
References
Douglas, N.L. (2000). Enemies of critical thinking: Lessons from social psychology research. Reading Psychology, 21(2), 129-144.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2003). Critical thinking: Teaching students how to study and learn (Part III). Journal of Developmental Education, 26(3), 36–37.
Pope, K. S. (1998). Pseudoscience, cross-examination, and scientific evidence in the recovered memory controversy. Psychology, Public Policy, & Law, 4(4), 1160-1181.