Critical Thinking

Recently, I attended a lecture that left me unsettled. The concepts were familiar, but something felt off. The speaker had an air of authority, confidently presenting his views—but he cited only one source. He spoke in absolutes, painting the world in black and white. And in doing so, he subtly (and not-so-subtly) positioned himself as the one with the “right” answers.

At first, I found myself slipping into his binary way of thinking: us vs. them, right vs. wrong, good vs. bad. But then, I remembered Adam Grant’s advice on becoming a better critical thinker:

1️⃣ Be 10% more skeptical of people you agree with—and 10% more charitable to people you disagree with.
2️⃣ Look for flaws in ideas you like—and strengths in arguments you dislike.
3️⃣ Learn from sources that engage with competing ideas.

So, I listened again—with a different ear.

What stood out? No complexity of thought. No real debate. No multiple perspectives. Just the idea that his way was theway. He mentioned privilege but dismissed it in the same breath. He talked about his time at an Ivy League school, how he tried to “sway” others to his viewpoint—without ever considering that his viewpoint might not be universally right. And when people didn’t agree? They would just have to deal with the “consequences.”

It was a masterclass in certainty, not curiosity.

Why This Way of Thinking Is Dangerous

This kind of thinking isn’t new. It’s often passed down, reinforced by those who believe the same things, rarely questioned, and presented as truth. But certainty without scrutiny is dangerous. It shuts down discussion. It removes nuance. And it makes people more susceptible to manipulation.

Critical thinking isn’t about blindly accepting—or rejecting—ideas. It’s about asking better questions. It’s about being open to complexity, willing to hold tension, and engaging with different viewpoints—not just to argue, but to understand.

Questions to Cultivate Critical Thinking

🔍 What would it look like to be just 10% more skeptical of the ideas I already agree with?
🔍 Where is the nuance in this argument? What’s missing?
🔍 Who benefits from this perspective being seen as the only truth?
🔍 Am I listening to understand—or just to confirm my own beliefs?
🔍 What’s a strong argument against my current belief? Can I hold space for it?

So, the next time you hear something that feels too certain, pause. Ask questions. Dig deeper. The more we train ourselves to think critically, the more we create a world where real conversations—and real change—are possible.

llustration by Wiley Miller, Non Sequitur