Question Everything: Unveiling the Power of Critical Thinking

The other day, I spotted a trail of ants, crossing my patio, and disappearing into the planter. I watched these little creatures cross my yard, not organized, occasionally colliding, but moving with purpose. The little creatures, biologically programmed, marched on a mission of survival, securing food. No cognitive thought, no conscious goal, no struggles with laziness, or dissatisfaction with bosses—they just marched. As humans, we operate differently. We have cognitive powers. We think; we create complex plans and address complex problems. Sometimes, we need to stop and question everything.

Cognition, essential to manage complexity, is a mixed blessing.  Cognitions create meaning. Dancing thoughts demand a reason—a meaning to their madness; we must know why. Yet lost in the sea of reasons, we settle for simplicity, ignoring the complexity of intertwining causes behind actions.

We get lost in the competitive race to get more; we get up early and work late. But are dumbfounded when others inquire the reasons we need more. For nearly two decades, I commuted on sixty miles of crowded freeways. The term “rat race” aptly describes the thousands of motorists jarring for position, weaving through traffic, to save a few seconds from their commutes.

Take Time to Ask Questions

We blindly march back and forth in habitual routines seemingly content to let unknown factors determine the outcomes of our lives. 

Many years ago, my oldest child curiously asked endless streams of questions. He would string together questions, digging deeper and deeper into meaning. His young mind was curious. Why are we getting into the car? Why are we going to the store? and why do we eat? On and on, his rapid-fire questions would come. One day, perhaps, short on patience, I commented, “aren’t you a little question man.” He pause for a moment then asked, “what’s a question man?” I told my grandson this story about his dad. He now likes to play the role of question man.

We could use more questioning men and women, stopping the blind march to ask a few probing questions. Rod Judkins wrote:

“A creative person is by nature a questioner. They are driven by doubt, curiosity and wonderment” (Judkins, 2013).

Key Practices of Skepticism

In order to protect ourselves against the flow of false information, we need to constantly guard against threats both inside (biases) and outside (deceivers). Life is a bit frightening when we consider the power of these two elements in our environments.

George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller warn:

“Insofar as we have any weakness in knowing what we really want, and also insofar as such a weakness can be profitably generated and primed, markets will seize the opportunity to take us in on those weaknesses. There are so many phishers and they are so ingenious in the variety of their lures that, by the laws of probability, we all get caught sooner or later, however wary we may try to be. No one is exempt” (Akerlof & Shiller, 2016).

The tools deceivers use are remarkably clever, based on practice and success. Moreover, our biases are powerful blinders to facts. These two processes demand skilled intervention to penetrate their powerful influence over our decisions. Questioning everything is a great start. However, we never achieve such great wisdom that we are no longer vulnerable to deception. We must practice and keep our guard up.

Challenging Assumptions

One of the cornerstones of “questioning everything” lies in actively challenging the assumptions that underpin our beliefs and understandings. Assumptions are often unconscious and uncritically accepted, shaping our perceptions and influencing our actions. They can be derived from personal experiences, cultural norms, societal expectations, or even the information we consume. By consciously examining these assumptions, we can begin to identify potential biases and blind spots that may be limiting our understanding. For example, we might assume that all wealthy individuals are happy, that certain groups are inherently more intelligent, or that the media always presents unbiased information. By questioning these assumptions, we can begin to see the world with greater nuance and complexity.

Challenging assumptions requires a degree of intellectual humility and a willingness to confront our own biases. It involves actively seeking out information that challenges our existing beliefs, engaging in thoughtful dialogue with others who hold different perspectives, and being open to the possibility that our own views may be flawed. This process can be uncomfortable and unsettling, as it may require us to confront deeply held beliefs and acknowledge our own limitations. However, by embracing the discomfort and cultivating a spirit of intellectual curiosity, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Seeking Evidence

Another crucial component of questioning everything is seeking evidence. This involves actively searching for information and data that can support or refute a particular claim or belief. This goes beyond simply accepting information at face value. It requires individuals to critically evaluate sources, identify potential biases, and seek out diverse perspectives.

This process can involve a variety of methods, such as conducting research in libraries and online databases, consulting with experts in the field, conducting experiments or observations, and engaging in thoughtful discussions with others. By actively seeking evidence, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of the issue at hand, identify potential flaws in their own reasoning, and build a stronger foundation for their beliefs and conclusions.

This emphasis on evidence fosters a more objective and evidence-based approach to understanding the world, encouraging individuals to rely on empirical data and logical reasoning rather than relying solely on personal opinions or anecdotal evidence.

Considering Alternative Perspectives

Seeking alternative explanations and opinions is a crucial practice within the framework of questioning everything. It involves actively searching for different perspectives, interpretations, and potential causes for observed phenomena. This goes beyond simply considering the most obvious or readily available explanation. By actively seeking out alternative viewpoints, we challenge our own assumptions and broaden our understanding of complex issues.

For example, if faced with a social problem, instead of immediately accepting the most common explanation, we should actively seek out alternative perspectives. This might involve researching different sociological theories, consulting with experts from diverse backgrounds, and engaging in thoughtful discussions with individuals who hold differing viewpoints. By considering these alternative explanations, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of the issue, identify potential biases in our own thinking, and develop more effective and comprehensive solutions.

Furthermore, seeking alternative opinions fosters intellectual humility and encourages respectful dialogue. It allows us to appreciate the value of diverse perspectives and recognize the limitations of our own knowledge and understanding. By engaging with others who hold different viewpoints, we can learn from their insights, refine our own arguments, and develop a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the world around us.

Open-mindedness

Another fundamental practice of questioning everything is keeping an open mind. This practice requires a willingness to entertain new ideas, consider different perspectives, and acknowledge the possibility that your own beliefs may be incomplete or inaccurate. This doesn’t mean blindly accepting any and all information, but rather approaching new ideas with curiosity and a willingness to explore them further.

An open mind allows for intellectual growth and personal development. It enables us to learn from others, challenge our own assumptions, and broaden our understanding of the world. When we are open-minded, we are more receptive to new information, more willing to engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold differing views, and more likely to adapt our beliefs in light of new evidence.

Cultivating an open mind requires consistent effort and self-reflection, involving recognition of our own biases, acknowledging the limitations of our own knowledge, and actively seeking out information that challenges our existing beliefs. While it can be uncomfortable to confront our own biases and acknowledge the possibility that we may be wrong, embracing this discomfort is essential for intellectual growth and personal development.

Automated Lives

Our daily routines are full of automated actions, freeing cognitive energy. We don’t need to waste time pondering the biomechanics of digestion, nutrients, and energy when we go to the store for milk and eggs. We notice the eggs are gone and the milk empty; without thought, we grab the keys and go.

Our conscious mind has limited capacity. Habits, thinking heuristics, and biases assist in filling the voids. Attention focuses on threats without conscious directions; but when the action lulls and life slows down, the wise return to the event to gather understanding.  Other times, comfort permeates our days, no eminent threats of the horizon to draw attention, during the calmness our minds may wander—to the unproductive fields where futures are destroyed, and dreams are smashed.

Structure and Chaos

We must examine habitual behaviors, devoid of thought, for balance. Unmonitored action may destroy careers, families, intimacy, and dreams. The actions may not appear disastrous—even appearing mundane. But the small, simple behaviors accumulate and powerfully impact our lives. Examining the little reactions and every day habits, we wisely interrupt destructive paths, and seek better avenues to add meaning and richness to life.

At first, recognizing blindly followed routines may shock the examiner. From new macro-perspectives, we painfully notice monotony. Waking to the morning alarm, driving to work, getting paid, and doing chores on the weekend. Life has become a routine, missing the richness of experience. Millions joining in the monotony of survival, driving varying distances just to turn around and drive home at the end of the day—cogs in the wheel of massive profit and loss machines. In many ways, we resemble the ants in the garden.

When Chaos Prevails

Conversely, many abandon the structured walls of habitual and structured behaviors only for chaos to dominate their lives—some structure is essential. If we look a little deeper, past the habitual patterns, we might discover meaning, uncovering the richness of human cognition.

Inhabiting each car on the crowded roadway is a person; each possessing their own collection of joys and sorrows. When traffic slows, I occasionally glance into the private chambers of others’ worlds—the solitary cabins of their cars. The morose expressions, the joyous laughs, each tell deeper stories.

The Confusion of Complexity

The complex life of others constantly surrounds us. Behind outer expressions are layers of untold stories—peace, happiness, sadness, anger, bitterness, loneliness, heartbreak, concern, compassion. Some are battling debilitating diseases, others absorbed in abusive relationships; many basking in joys of a recent success, while others recovering from devastating failures. Look around, open your eyes, we are surrounded; Ordinary people fighting addictions.

​The waves of emotions—joys and sorrows—flow through the everyday lives of our fellow travelers. Do you see them? Feel their aliveness? We are not alone in struggles or in triumphs. Billions of people each struggling, enjoying, and making their way through life the best they know how.

Foundational Beliefs

The wisdom of questioning everything is we paint ourselves into a corner. Many of our beliefs operate unconsciously in the background, sorting, and editing new incoming information. We often use our knowledge not as a means to logically and clearly interpret incoming facts but to adjust and transform incoming facts to fit our preconceived beliefs.

I would suggest we need to think like a scientist except scientist are also prone to transforming information to fit their unconscious beliefs, they just do so using scientific jargon.

A Time to Stop Questioning and Start Living

Just as John Gorman warns in the quote above, there is time where questions interfere with a flourishing life. We need some stability—a solid piece of ground to stand on. We need some security, trusting in some fundamental features of our lives.

I upset a man once after he commented, “I believe in nothing. Nothing in life can be trusted.” I insensitively responded, “that’s an interesting belief.” The truth is we have beliefs, whether we acknowledge them or not. We have foundational guides that determine how we process all the other information. Basically, flourishing requires adopting foundational beliefs that propel us forward and not imprison us to blindness.

Finding the middle ground between questioning and accepting is our task. 

Associated Concepts

• Deception in Nature: This refers to the common practice of deception found in every living organism. Deception and deception detection are survival skills.
• Human Irrationality: This refers to the tendency of individuals to make decisions and take actions that deviate from logical reasoning or sound judgment. This phenomenon encompasses a wide range of behaviors, such as cognitive biases, emotional influences, and irrational beliefs.
• Selective Information Processing: This is an information selective process, largely unconscious, that shapes, trims, and screens new information to conform with preexisting beliefs. Selective information processing is an adaptive response to dynamic and complex environment.
• Critical Thinking: This refers to the ability to analyze information objectively, understand its underlying assumptions, evaluate evidence, and form reasoned judgments rather than simply accepting what is presented. It involves a disciplined and self-reflective approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Cognitive Load Theory: This theory deals with the amount of information that working memory can hold at one time. It suggests that selective information processing is necessary to manage cognitive load and prevent overload.
• Skepticism: This refers to the practice of having a questioning attitude, to doubt or question the validity or truth of something presented as a fact. It involves approaching information or claims with a critical mindset, seeking evidence and reasoning before accepting them as true. Skepticism is an essential part of the scientific method and critical thinking.
• Cynicism: This refers to a general distrust toward the motives of others and a tendency to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest. Cynical individuals often exhibit a negative outlook on human nature and may be dismissive or critical of others’ actions and intentions. This worldview can lead to a lack of faith in the sincerity or goodness of others’ actions.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

Take time during your survival march, peer through your daily routines to see a little more, examining the richness of life surrounding us. Accordingly, a few mindful observations build stronger connections to the community, lifting noxious judgments. By knowing others experience pain, joy, sorrow and anger we feel less alone and more connected. Consequently, these expanding connections—beyond our immediate circle—transform our experience of living. Not just blindly marching but actively living.

Last Update: December 4, 2025

References:

Akerlof, George A.; Shiller, Robert J. (2016). Phishing for Phools: The Economics of Manipulation and Deception. Princeton University Press; Reprint edition. ISBN: 978-1-4008-7326-5; DOI: 10.1515/9781400873265
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Judkins, Rod (2013). Question Everything. Everywhere. Forever. Psychology Today. Published: 11-8-2013; Accessed: 6-17-2023. Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/connect-creativity/201311/question-everything-everywhere-forever
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