Not all differences must be reconciled, but they can be understood (intellectual empathy). When we apply critical thinking to culture, we’re not looking for universal agreement! We are looking to understand for what purpose do the differences exist. It offers an opportunity to discuss the good and the bad, and each culture has plenty of both.

We apply critical thinking in our lives to observe, with evidence, what is functioning well and what is not; to examine how social norms and inherited values shape our perceptions of right and wrong; and, ultimately, to engage in the philosophical task of discerning what is worth preserving, what must be reimagined, and what should be ethically let... See more

Critical thinking, at its core, is the ability to look at ideas from multiple angles (often referred to as perspectives). However, this is especially challenging for most people because our biases tend to limit our perspective to our own and those relevant to our cultural contexts.

In most social contexts, what individuals perceive as right or wrong depends less on fixed truths and more on the meaning, context, and logic they’ve applied, whether consciously or not. It’s incredibly useful—both relationally and for developing emotional intelligence—to try and understand why someone has adopted a particular view.

Consider the difference between what you’ve been told to think and what you’ve actually experienced in your life. The data you hold from living, observing, and doing.

On one hand, there are ideas you've inherited (heard most, read most, thought about most) about what is “right.” On the other hand, there are your actions, your observations of... See more

Often, those who have been socially excluded or may not have felt like they belong could be more susceptible to accepting belonging even when the groups are not right for them. Their biological and psychological needs override their intellectual and critical thinking ability regarding what may be best for them.