Final answer:
Not thinking critically in political discussions involves failing to question arguments, ignoring evidence, and not considering alternative viewpoints; this often leads to confirmation bias and disregarding rhetorical context and biases influencing arguments.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sign that you are not thinking critically in a situation where roommates are supporting different political candidates and debating various claims would be if you accept arguments without questioning their validity, ignoring evidence, or not considering alternative viewpoints. Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating the strength of arguments, understanding the use of rhetorical strategies, and recognizing logical fallacies. It is about separating common sense from nonsense and being open to new ways of thinking about current events, personal and business decisions, and politics. Hence, failing to exercise these evaluative skills can be a sign of a lack of critical thinking.
People might fall into the trap of confirmation bias, where they only acknowledge information that supports their existing beliefs, which is counterproductive to critical thinking. Additionally, if a person is not analyzing the context, the source of information, or the possible biases that may influence the arguments, such as those outlined by kairos, is another indicator of poor critical thinking. Understanding the political ideologies and how rhetoric is being used can be essential in making informed and independent decisions.