Why Systems Thinking is Critical Thinking 2.0

Video Description

People talk about the importance of critical thinking all the time. But what does it actually mean to think critically? Is it just about being open-minded? And if so, how open-minded is open-minded enough? So in this video, I’ll break down critical thinking using systems thinking - another tool that is more intuitive and practical for overcoming biases and making better decisions. To make it concrete, we’ll explore the 4 levels of systems thinking through a case study on how news coverage of AI often simplifies complex issues. By the end, you’ll know how to apply systems thinking to improve your own critical thinking, whether it’s about AI, work, or everyday life. ** You Might Also Like ** - 3 Pillars of Resilience: Success in Life, Business, Nature: https://youtu.be/aQtVOmz5Jn8 - Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://universalresilience.com/ ** Video Chapters ** 0:00 Intro 1:07 Landscape + Path 2:15 Level 1: Nondualistic Thinking 5:30 Level 2: Interdependent Thinking 9:11 Level 3: Dynamic Thinking 11:00 Level 4: Emergent Thinking 14:33 Bonus Tip: Community of Practice ** Footnotes ** The organizations and personnels I reference in the video do not necessary represent my own views on certain social and political issues. In fact, I actually strongly disagree with many of them at times. But I still think it's valuable to learn from people that I disagree with, if I can see that they at least try to put in the effort to explore complexity and nuances in their discourse. Also, the 4 levels are not unique to systems science. Comparable ideas have surfaced throughout history in many religious and philosophical traditions. For example, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism emphasize nonduality, interdependence, impermanence, and emergence. Many Indigenous worldviews describe reality in terms of interconnected cycles and reciprocal relationships. Within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, certain schools of thought emphasize non-dualistic perspectives too, such as the unity of creation, balance between divine order and human agency, and the emergent moral community. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nondualism In fact, research across neuroscience, cognitive science, and ecology suggests that it’s nearly impossible to define a “self” in isolation. Our brains, bodies, and behaviors are continuously shaped by sensory input, social interaction, and environmental feedback, making the boundary between self and world more fluid than fixed. Now, you might push back on how universal these ideas are. Surely logic and math are black-and-white, right? 1 + 1 = 2 seems as binary and dualistic as it gets. True. I’m not arguing that 1 + 1 is not 2. The point is what happens when we apply those abstract models to the messy real world. Is 1 apple + 1 apple always 2 apples? Yes, in abstraction. But what about 1 apple with a bite taken out + 1 whole apple? Or 1 small apple + 1 large apple? Even at the level of fundamental particles, things aren’t so clear-cut. Is 1 hydrogen atom + 1 hydrogen atom always 2 hydrogen atoms? What if one has an extra neutron, which is technically a deuterium, do we still call it the same 1? Systems thinking pushes us to question how well our abstractions actually match reality. Most of the time, the reality is much blurrier. And that blurriness itself follows universal patterns. Knowing such patterns help us think more critically about where our models fit, and where they fall apart. ** Disclaimer ** This talk is for educational purposes only. It’s not medical, mental health, financial, or legal advice. Please consult a licensed professional about your specific needs.