The Philosophy of Metacognition

Written By Colēgia

Metacognition can be seen in many different classrooms and in various leisure activities such as meditation but what if we told you that this is intertwined with philosophy? Today we want to dive into both of these topics and how they're more related than we may realize.

Breaking These Down

Understanding both of these concepts individually is key to making the most out of them. Philosophy is known as “the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence especially when considered as an academic discipline.” In simple terms, philosophy invokes discussion about thought along with the pursuit of knowledge. This is helpful as it can help us break down complex topics in a more accessible manner. Metacognition can be defined as “the awareness and understanding of one's own thought process.” Simply put, metacognition is thinking about thinking. This concept allows us to review our own thought processes to help make us more well-rounded in our lives. Both of these primarily revolve around the concept of thought and this holds true even beyond the surface level.

“This concept allows us to review our own thought processes to help make us more well-rounded in our lives.”

How do They Relate?

The interconnected nature of both philosophy and metacognition can be seen in many areas. In philosophy itself, one of the main avenues of pursuing knowledge is the Socratic method. This tactic involves asking other individuals questions in a sort of dialogue where both sides try to see any presuppositions and where they stand in regards to them. This method challenges us to review how we think and why we do in an effort to find the truth. This is used in more than just simple conversations and is also the cornerstone of many careers. Coaches and mentors specifically need to implement metacognition to help their disciples see their own personal value. Being able to learn alongside each other by having a desire to better oneself is invaluable. Lawyers use this to be able to help their clients along with reaching a logical conclusion. This isn't to say that these concepts are only found in these careers. The correlation between philosophy and metacognition is strong, and being able to recognize it in our daily lives can help us with personal development.

“The interconnected nature of both philosophy and metacognition can be seen in many areas.”

Challenging Your Mind

It takes a concentrated amount of effort and courage to be able to look at your own thought processes. While it may be daunting at first, incorporating both of these concepts is good as it can let you assess your thoughts in a constructive manner. If we feel that we are being too judgmental, we can take a step back and analyze how we reacted. Chances are, we may be unaware of our thoughts and feelings and may need to work on them. In other instances we can take time to appreciate that we may have a healthy world view. Being grateful for who we are also ties into this. While self-improvement and analyzing our thoughts is good, we want to do this in a healthy manner that respects our time and those around us.

Colēgia

Colēgia

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