curious critical thinking
are you sure? tell me more!
I made a basic app with some lessons for curious critical thinking
While I ended up pausing the project, some great ideas came out of it, to be followed up in the future.
in the meantime...
click here to try the (beta) app
The Goal (updated 2021)
Make it easier for anyone to learn and practice a curious critical thinking mindset
How? Simple exercises, delivered as a course or web app.
More precisely, simple exercises and a clear framework, matched to age and ability, delivered as a course or web app. The app allows you to practice curious critical thinking easily - like an instrument, sport or meditation.
Curious critical thinking involves
a curious and open attitude
that leads to good listening, perspective-taking and empathy
balanced by habits of healthy doubt
enhanced by skills of logic and knowledge-evaluation (traditional critical thinking)
The benefits of Curious Critical Thinking
make better decisions
enjoy the joy of curiosity (fun for its own sake)
make learning more relevant to you
think for yourself whilst understanding others more deeply
develop highly valued skills for work and life
tell good ideas from bad
challenge your own assumptions
evaluate evidence/get closer to the truth in any area
know yourself and others better
debunk and prebunk fake news, conspiracy theories, shonky health claims and more
The Need
Curious Critical thinking is essential for self-knowledge, empathy, healthy democracy and science...
BUT
it is not commonly taught (and not in a relevant way)
can have a negative reputation (argumentative, smart-aleck, challenging)
and is being undermined in today's polarised, online, tribal world
The Problem
As humans, our everyday thinking has evolved to be one-eyed, semi-rational and lazy. While this can save time, it also makes us intolerant, and self-righteous about things we are sure about (but wrong about... sound familiar?)
And while employers are hungry for socially smart problem solvers, our education system mainly trains us to deliver 'correct' answers.
The Solution
We can choose to go out of our way both to see other’s viewpoints, and to dig for the more informed version of truth. As we build these skills they become automatic and interwoven in life
The Result
We become simultaneously more empathetic and better problem-solvers
In digging for the truth, critical thinkers can upset others - but if we stay humble and use our empathetic powers we can disarm fights, and ultimately provide better solutions for any aspect of life
My Angle
Learning about curious critical thinking has been a life-long pleasure for me and my journey has equipped me to share this with others...
I grew up in a household discussing public health and bioethics around the breakfast table
I was lucky to be able to study philosophy at university from age 13, which taught me good logic and argument, and fed my curiosity for knowledge and perspectives
Later as a student of psychology I became fascinated by just how hard it is to change our own minds and habits (let alone others'), as well as research on biases, semi-rationality, tribalism, health psychology and emotional self-regulation
As a professional musician, I have performed to many thousands, and have taught music to people of all ages. Music is a skill which requires constant practice, maintenance and self-reflection
As someone who suffered from a chronic illness (brucellosis) from age 17 to 25, as well as mild depression, I learnt to have healthy doubt for my current state of mind; I developed this further through meditation practice
Despite being a confirmed atheist, I lived in a Christian intentional community in Addington, CHCH for several years, embracing communal living and challenging my own beliefs while respecting others' and exploring our different viewpoints
Talk more?
I'd love to hear from you, no matter who you are. I love talking to people about this! Send me a message at curiouscriticalthinking@gmail.com