• Usually, our views about our surroundings are initially influenced by our parents views. • They are not always able to give us a full or unbiased picture of the world. • Latter in life, our views are shaped by our role models such as teachers, by our peers and the celebrities like film stars whose fans we are. • But the most serious and profound influence on our view of the world is exercised by the media, both print and electronic • What we believe about the world we live in is to a very large extent directed by newspapers and news channels. • This hidden control over our thoughts has hindered a free and reflecting thought process. • This is possibly the greatest barrier to free critical thinking. 2. Tendency to think in binaries. • We usual think in binary, i.e., bad or good, just or unjust, we or they, black or white. • Thinking in binary is a thought pattern so deeply embedded in us that affects even the most famous and astute logician, philosopher, political thinker or scientist. • But the world and all the world phenomena are not all to be judged in terms of binary. • This has led to poor theories in philosophy and break down of personal relations. 3. Fears regarding free thinking • We often toe the line set by others in spite of realising in our thinking that they are wrong • We do this because we are scared to be the first to voice a new opinion. • This fear stems from our fear of making mistakes, the fear of making a fool of ourselves.
• This is the result of a kind of intellectual
diffidence. • This diffidence may have some sociological roots as many societies discourage freethinking. • A free thinker therefore can feel cornered and will need an enormously strong will to come out and say what he or she thinks is right. 4. Ethnocentrism • Most people think that they are the centre of the universe. • Some people are even full blown megalomaniacs. • Even still, everything that we see we see from our own perspective. • In a way, this is the only perspective we have. • But to be a critical thinker, we need to go beyond our own perspective and be able to appreciate other ways of looking at things. 5. Personal interest and feelings • In our lives, we have many commitments that steer the direction of the path we take. • Our past experiences determine our allegiances, our emotional and social commitments.