When we talk about critical thinking, two important things stand out: purpose and question. They act like a compass, helping to guide our thoughts and ideas.

Purpose is about what we want to achieve. It helps set the stage for how we think. For example, if I’m trying to understand a complicated problem, my purpose might be to find a solution, look at the risks, or just get a clearer picture. Knowing my purpose helps me focus on what information matters and what arguments are important. If I don’t have a clear purpose, I might get lost in too many details and forget what’s really important.

Now, the questions we ask are just as important. They shape how we look at things and what ideas we think about. For instance, if I ask, “What are the ethical issues related to artificial intelligence?” I’ll explore a different path than if I ask, “How is artificial intelligence being used in healthcare right now?” Each question sparks different thoughts and helps me consider different ideas.

Let’s break it down:

1. Purpose:

   • Helps me figure out what’s important.
   • Guides the conclusions I might reach.
   • Can make everything clear or confusing if I don’t define it well.

2. Question:

   • Decides where I focus my attention.
   • Makes me think in different ways.
   • Affects what information I look for or ignore.

In simple terms, purpose and question work together in critical thinking. They keep me focused and intentional in my thinking. They remind me to cut out distractions and focus on what really matters. Without a clear purpose or good questions, I feel like a ship lost at sea, with ideas and information floating around without direction.

So, next time I tackle a topic, I’ll make sure to define these two things first. They are key to sharp and effective critical thinking!