Thinking about thinking

Thinking about thinking, well it just seems strange, especially since I have been told by teachers, friends, family members, etc. my whole life that I "think too much" or just "over-analyze something to death." Can one really think too much or over analyze? Maybe, but thinking critically requires thinking constructively and forms the core of how I live my life.

As an educator, my profession revolves around pushing, challenging, and developing the minds of students in my classes. As an avid reader, the same principles are applied to my own professional development. Thus, I am embedded in the process of critical thinking at every turn. And now, pursuing a PhD, I am further challenged to critically discuss critical thinking. The PhD program will help satisfy my craving to continually learn and no one will accuse me of "over thinking."

Yet, critical thinking involves a lot of work, which so many are hesitant to incorporate into the everyday lives. Why? Well, why should the "masses" learn to think for themselves when so much information is readily available from the Internet or is "spoon fed" to them from other media sources. Websites such as Wikipedia, disguised as an unbiased and educational forum, fulfills a need for quick and easily digestible information. People think what they are told to think, many believing that I read it in the newspaper" or "I heard it on television so "it" must be true. I am not advocating banning media avenues. However, with using technology comes a responsibility to develop an understanding of its flaws as well as advantages.

To think critically one must be willing to sacrifice our own ideas (which takes courage to change), truly listen to the ideas of others (not a passive act), and admitting we don't know everything (and that our opinions can be flawed). This is not impossible, but critical thinking needs to be taught, beginning at a very young age. I'm so grateful that my parents constantly challenged my thinking and encouraged open dialogue while I was young!
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