This is something that can be difficult to do, because our beliefs are such a large part of who we are. However, examining your beliefs can be a very interesting and rewarding experience.  It may strengthen what you already believe, it may enable you to learning more about what others believe, and it may help to clear up misconceptions that have been formed over the years.

We are able to examine our beliefs and examine what we think we know by looking at everything from multiple perspectives, from research, and from examining evidence.

Class: As you begin to explore new information and new perspectives as a critical thinker, you may have information that is in conflict with what you have always believed or held to be true. This is when you critical thinking really develops.

After you have read this chapter, think about these things:

• Do you have any commonly held beliefs that you are worried about being challenged?
• Have you recently realized something you thought to be true was not?  How did you react?
• Why is it so important to look at things from perspectives outside of our own?
• What are some ways we can begin to see things from other perspectives?
• How can we be careful when using the internet as a tool for exploration of thought and knowledge?