Critical thinking

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Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is an aspect of making clear and rational minds on what to do and what to believe. It involves being reflective and independent when reasoning. The paper describes the three levels of thinking and also provides a precise definition of open-minded skepticism. Furthermore, it explains the meaning of reason as well as highlighting the role of emotions in matters concerning critical and creative thinking. The paper also defines and illustrates the concept of fideism.
1. What are the Three Tiers of Thinking?
The three levels of thinking are reactive thinking, conscious thinking and inspired thought. Reactive thinking involves manipulation of information that is acceptable from the past. It has definite boundaries, and it usually resists information that may tend to disturb its reality. The purpose of reactive thinking is to shape an individual’s external world by integrating the existing data. In this level, it entails that for an individual to solve a problem, he/she has to change the circumstances. Conscious thinking is the willingness to accepting a new idea and uses it in the existing pattern. Therefore, this level allows for incorporation of up-to-date information to solve a current issue. On the other hand, inspired thinking involves bringing the new information to the table. However, thinking at this point is known to be non-linear and original. It tends to express the essence and uniqueness of an individual.

In fact, the source of reasoning is usually the spirit.
2. What is Open-Minded Skepticism?
Open- minded Skepticism refers to the ability to consider new ideas and also questioning the authenticity of a notion purporting to be factual. It entails being unbiased, unprejudiced as well as being neutral when dealing with circumstances. In the real sense, open minded should go hand in hand with skepticism. However, from the definition, an individual cannot possess both skepticism and open-minded features. Therefore, it means that if one is open-minded, then possibly he/she lack preconceived conclusions concerning the matter in their focus. However, if someone is doubtful, he/she has a predisposition to doubt and hence thy lack abilities to perceive an item objectively. More so, such individuals, they are known to be more overwhelmed with their preconceived notions.
3. What is Reason?
Reason refers to a man’s instrument for understanding. In other words, it is an approach to identifying entities through an individual right mind. Through logic, an individual can integrate various perceptions into concepts to achieve the desired knowledge. The fundamental feature of the reason is the clarity and how better it is planned. Therefore, logic is a process of thinking in a clear and structured manner to attain a better understanding and knowledge.
4. What is the Role of Emotion in Critical Thinking?
We encounter emotions in various situations in the course of a lifetime. Emotions are the critical element towards learning and making decisions. Therefore, they are the central process of rational thoughts and reasoning. Furthermore, feelings determine how an individual perceives a particular event and prepares his/her mind appropriately to influence a reasonable conclusion. According to the research, when an individual is very emotional, his/her critical thinking capabilities diminish dramatically (Paul, Richard &Linda Elder, 2017, Pg 15). Therefore, emotions help someone to maintain and stay in focus on a specific activity. More so, a feeling manipulates the mind of an individual towards approaching a problem.
5. What is Fideism: Faith Transcends Reason?
Fideism is a theory which supports that faith is independent of reason. It asserts that both the reason and faith are hostile to each other and that faith is more convenient at arriving at the facts. Additionally, trust rises above rationalism since it is unlimited to logic, knowledge and human theories. In general, we operate mostly by trust instead of sight. According to fideism, faith entails an individual’s commitment that is beyond rational justification (Evans &Stephen, 2018, N.P)
In conclusion, human beings encounter various incidents that demand critical thinking in the line of their lives. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the three tiers of thinking. Levels of thinking enable an individual to properly assemble their minds towards achieving the correct understanding and knowledge. Besides, there is a necessity to understand the meaning of reason and how its applicability can suit the life of an individual. Emotions play an essential part in critical thinking. Therefore, our reasoning and conclusions depend on how we can manipulate the emotions.
Works cited
Paul, Richard, and Linda Elder. Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your professional and personal life. Pearson Education, 2017.
Evans, C. Stephen. Faith beyond reason: A Kierkegaardian account. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2018.