Understanding Critical Thinking and Wisdom
Critical thinking is a complex psychological process that involves analyzing objectives and evaluating information. It is a universal discipline encompassing intellectual values such as open-mindedness, interpretation, and problem-solving (Seibert, 2021). In my understanding, wisdom is the judgment of personal condition and how to manage and understand it in order to live a good life. It enshrines the ideation of prosocial attitudes, self-reflection, and value relativism.
The Interconnection Between Intelligence and Well-Being
Intelligence is defined in many ways; the triarchic theory defines it as analytical, creative, and practical intelligence. In my opinion, intelligence is acquired through life experience, based on the ability to achieve personal goals (Zmigrod et al., 2019). Well-being is the experience of life satisfaction, having a purpose, and the capability to manage stress (Seibert, 2021). An intelligent person with poor critical thinking skills would be impaired in using knowledge efficiently.
The Relationship Between Intelligence and Goodness
All good people are smart, but this does not mean all good people are intelligent. Being good involves knowing what is good and choosing to do it. It expresses the ability of good people to acquire information, process it, and effectively apply it in decision-making. Therefore, the appropriate answer to the “Are all smart people–good?” question is no (Grossmann et al., 2013). Not all intelligent people are good because some fail to adhere to the set moral codes (Grossmann et al., 2013). One can have the ability to acquire information quickly but lack the moral standing to do what is right.
Using Intelligence and Critical Thinking to Achieve Goodness and Well-Being
Being good involves distinguishing right from wrong and choosing the right course of action. It is defined as anything that adheres to a moral code and is universally acceptable (Grossman et al., 2013). We can use intelligence to become good since its combination with critical thinking skills and experience will yield a positive change in judgment and decisions. This will yield a better quality of life as a combination of critical thinking skills and intelligence leads to better control of stress and decision-making, holistically improving overall well-being.
References
Grossmann, I., Na, J., Varnum, M. E., Kitayama, S., & Nisbett, R. E. (2013). A route to well-being: intelligence versus wise reasoning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 142(3), 944.
Seibert, S. A. (2021). Problem-based learning: A strategy to foster Generation Z’s critical thinking and perseverance. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 16(1), 85-88.
Zmigrod, L., Zmigrod, S., Rentfrow, P. J., & Robbins, T. W. (2019). The psychological roots of intellectual humility: The role of intelligence and cognitive flexibility. Personality and Individual Differences, 141, 200-208.