Department of Philosophy, JU organized a webinar on the Relevance of Philosophy in Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Today the Department of Philosophy, University of Jammu organized an online lecture on the topic “Relevance of Philosophy in Developing Critical Thinking Skills”. The talk was given by Dr. Ayesha Gautam, Department of Philosophy, University of Delhi. In the lecture, she discussed the various contemporary issues that today’s generation faces in the world of science and technology. It is the development of critical thinking skills that establishes the need for philosophical analysis or philosophy as a discipline which overpowers the artificial intelligence artefacts. The race of competing with present-day technology is only be won by a conscious being who has the power of creating the tools that help Artificial Intelligence to function. Her endeavour was to give some insight into some of the ways in which philosophy can help us in developing critical thinking skills. From time immemorial, philosophers (both Eastern and Western) have tried so hard to give certain methodologies or methods to help the common man in solving life’s mysteries and problems. Almost all the systems of philosophy help us in developing critical thinking skills. To name a few, the Nyaya School, an orthodox system has developed its logic out of the ancient scriptures. Its method of “samvada” is the art of drawing appropriate conclusions from the conversation on a given topic. Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher has also used the skill of dialectics to draw a certain conclusion. Both these tools are powerful methods to develop a critical mind. The method of doubt used by a modern western thinker Rene Descartes in establishing his philosophy of “I think therefore I am” is an outcome of profound critical analysis. The skill of critical thinking and analyzing is definitely paved a way for the relevance of philosophy in day to day social and political dealings.

The talk was enjoyed by the faculty and the students alike. The webinar was chaired by Prof. Jasbir Singh, Head, Department of Philosophy who welcome the expert and all participants and assured that more such talks will be organized in future. The coordinator of the talk was Dr Panu Sharma.  Ms. Ruby Bharti presented the vote of thanks. The session ended with some questions asked by the students which were skillfully answered by Dr. Ayesha in a lucid way.