Final answer:
Deliberate self-evaluation and private thought is a process of metacognition, which involves higher-order thinking skills for self-awareness and critical reflection. It is essential for identifying and overcoming cognitive biases, leading to more rational decision-making and personal growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deliberate self-evaluation and private thought involve a conscious, effortful process known as metacognition, which means thinking about one's own thinking. This self-reflective practice requires higher-order thinking skills that encourage self-awareness and cognitive self-assessment. Engaging in critical reflection allows individuals to examine their thought processes, question their intuitions, and challenge any biases they might hold, leading to more rational and abstract thinking. Metacognitive activities include checking, planning, selecting, and judging one’s knowledge with an aim to improve decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
Philosopher Charles Taylor emphasized that deliberation is an act of weighing different future actions internally, highlighting the conditional nature of the thought process. The deliberation is confined to one's own behavior and potential future scenarios, excluding past or confirmed future actions. By fostering a mindset that supports critical reflection, individuals can correct their cognitive biases through careful examination of facts, evidence, logic, and resist mental shortcuts for more accurate thought and decision-making. This process not only develops philosophical thinking but is essential for personal growth and understanding.