Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is often overlooked. We rarely talk about it, and we are hardly ever taught how to truly think for ourselves. Today, we all move forward following a certain guiding thread, largely shaped by social media, the news, and dominant narratives. Yet this thread is neither neutral nor spontaneous. It is constructed and scripted, like a carefully directed film, designed to make viewers feel exactly what the creators want them to feel.

In this context, critical thinking becomes an art, a true form of intelligence. Yet few people take the time to reflect in this way. We live surrounded by distractions and busy days, but do we truly give our minds the space to think, reflect, and create? Do we allow ourselves to question?

All the great ideas that have marked humanity were born from the ability to question and analyze. It is this questioning, this willingness to challenge certainties, that allows humans not to passively accept the world and that gives rise to creativity. By reflecting, exploring different perspectives, and daring to doubt, the mind builds original ideas that are deeply structured and full of innovation. Critical thinking thus nurtures both reflection and creativity, allowing humans to transform thoughts into conscious and innovative action.

Each of us has an inner voice, unique and deeply characteristic of who we are. Silencing it would be a tremendous loss. This voice guides us, allowing us to dare to think, create, and act according to who we truly are.

From childhood, we grow up surrounded by rules, convictions, and norms. We are taught what to do and what not to do, what is acceptable and what is not. Very often, we are told that older people know better and that their view of the world is the right one. As a result, our thinking is already coded, structured, and oriented.

We follow these rules without really asking why they exist or whether they still make sense. Sometimes, this lack of questioning comes from fear: fear of challenging what has always been, fear of judgment, fear of being rejected. Thinking differently may seem forbidden, as if stepping outside the norms equals making a mistake.

Throughout history, this absence of critical thinking has had major consequences. Entire peoples have been oppressed in the name of traditions or customs. Certain practices, today justified as part of culture, were actually constructed by humans and imposed as untouchable truths. Critical thinking reminds us that everything created by humans can be analyzed, questioned, and transformed. It is not about rejecting everything, but about understanding.

Applying this reflection to all aspects of life makes it more intense, conscious, and authentic. Thinking requires courage, time, and effort, but this is how the greatest discoveries came to be. Galileo, for example, dared to challenge the Church and the scientific dogmas of his time to defend his truth. Thinking for oneself means accepting doubt, seeing things from all angles, and building one’s own vision of the world. It is a refusal to live without ever questioning.

Critical thinking also plays a fundamental role in self-knowledge. It is when we begin to ask ourselves questions that we truly discover our values and what defines us. Questioning allows us to understand who we are, identify what we like about ourselves, and decide what we want to change or keep. In a complex and demanding world, learning to know ourselves is essential to feeling good, not being crushed by others, and building true self-confidence.

This self-knowledge also requires understanding our emotions and limits. A lack of inner reflection can lead us to react poorly or lose important opportunities. Many people adopt collective opinions without asking themselves: “Is this really what I think?” This question applies to politics, social beliefs, values, and norms of success. It is essential to remember that success and happiness are defined differently for everyone.

Furthermore, critical thinking should not be guided solely by emotion. Many speeches today play on fear, compassion, or indignation to influence opinions. Cognitive biases are often exploited to direct thought. Critical thinking requires a pause, perspective, and conscious reflection rather than an emotional reaction.

Finally, critical thinking is both a responsibility and a freedom. As Hannah Arendt stated, “The banality of evil arises from the absence of reflection.” History shows that many ideas once considered normal have been challenged through evolving mentalities. For instance, the abolition of slavery, women’s right to vote, the end of their sexualization in advertising, and the recognition of emotions in men these are all norms that changed because individuals dared to think differently.

However, critical thinking must be exercised with discernment, so as not to normalize or defend the indefensible. Thinking for oneself requires lucidity, responsibility, and moral awareness.

The end .

Written by : Lina B