BARRIERS TO CRITICAL THINKING

1. Social brainwashing and our view of the world.

• 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.