Critical thinking in contemporary life and its challenges:

During the Middle Ages, knowledge was restricted to the nobility and the clergy, by means of
books and encyclopedias, while the majority of the population was neglected in the search for
information. Later, the invention of the press machine in the 15th century, made possible a
rupture in this system, since, this technology expanded the printing of books in great quantity
and as a consequence, spread the circulation of information to the population.

Some time later, internet originated at the height of the Cold War, while the world was divided
between capitalism and socialism, but only then, after the 90s, did the internet transform
society, changing people's daily lives. Currently, the virtual environment has resulted in
information being obtained by the mass population, in a more dynamic way. Due to the
internet, mainly, the rapid dissemination of knowledge, improved people's intellectual
capacities, and in turn, led them to think and reflect more, developing a critical thinking and
revolutionizing the way people communicate, study, work and seek knowledge.

However, the emergence of the internet has also facilitated the spread of fake News, this
untrue information has the purpose of manipulating the population. The modern political
scenario is an example of how fake news works, of which political leaders share disinformation
by means of social networks, as a strategy to benefit or defame someone. Thus, it reached the
level, in which presidential elections are being decided through fake News.

That is why, critical sense has never been more necessary, than it is now. The ability to discern
and reflect, which we have, when we make a decision, is thanks to the critical sense. Then, in
order not to be automatically accepted, which is imposed by society, it is necessary to
increasingly improve our critical thinking.

The Greek philosopher Plato, through allegory in the cave, seeks to develop how a human being
can free the condition of darkness, that is, the ignorance in which we live. In an equivalent way,
it is possible to infer that the cave would be like the fake news of today, whose individual sees
himself imprisoned and alienated, far from what reality would actually be. Therefore, to take
contemporary man out of the cave of obscure ignorance, in which he finds himself at the
present moment, it is necessary that critical thinking awakens people from commodism and
leads them to analyze and discuss more and more, with the purpose of taking their own
decisions more correctly and honestly.

In addition, a historical motif that forever marked all human beings on earth and that shows the
importance of critical thinking was the concentration camp at Auschwitz, the greatest symbol of
the holocaust, caused by Nazism during World War II. At last, under the leadership of Adolf
Hitler, this tragedy took the lives of millions of people, most of whom were Jews. According to
Nazi Germany's propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, "a lie repeated a thousand times
becomes true", this phrase reflects the social problems that happened during barbarism, as
well as the problems of today, of the virtual age.

Unfortunately, some current political leaders flirt with fascism and anti-democratic actions.
Thereby, above all, so that Auschwitz's barbarism is not repeated, it is of fundamental
importance to invest and develop in education, because it is through it that the individual gets
rid of the passivity, so necessary in crucial moments of history, and thus, creates awareness and
responsibility for all those who make up society. On the whole, it is necessary, therefore, that
the government of all countries, expand investments in quality education, in order to
encouraging reading from childhood, as well as, acquire a greater capacity for interpretation.
Advances in the area of Philosophy and Sociology , as a tool that teaches how to think and
question and not just obey the reproduction and also increase the number of cultural events
such as exhibitions, theaters and debates. As a matter of fact, according to different cultural
experiences and access to books, bigger will be, consequently, the individual's critical thinking.
Besides, the ability to perceive the world around you, with the most comprehensive view
results in social enlightenment. Therefore, an educational revolution from children to
adulthood is the key to this enlightenment, in order to strengthen resistance to new possible
tyrannies. Allied to that, finally, it is also necessary to have public policies that monitor the
virtual environment and develop laws that punish sources that spread fake news with fines and
prisons. With long-term results, society would certainly create an intellectual shield against the
return of fascist and Nazi political systems.

The world is multicultural and multiethnic and this comprehensive cultural diversity is often
seen as a problem, driving people away, due to the lack of intolerance and inclusion. But, as a
matter of fact , it should be a reason for unity, harmony and bonds. Despite the globalization
process, which seeks to approach the geographical scenario, seeking, through the media, to
create a homogeneous society. Culture is an important factor, in which several communities
continue to maintain their customs and traditions. Culture is an important factor, in which
several communities continue to maintain their customs and traditions. Like my country, Brazil,
because it has a large territorial dimension, it also has a vast cultural diversity. European
colonizers, the indigenous population and African slaves were the pioneers in cultural
dissemination in Brazil. Then, Italian, Japanese, German, Arab immigrants contributed to the
great cultural diversity of Brazil. Aspects such as cuisine, music, dance, literary, language,
customs and parties are examples of immaterial culture, that is, associated with the habits and
behaviors of a certain social group, formed by abstract elements transmitted from generation
to generation. Conversely, material culture is linked to material elements, such as clothing,
museums, theaters, churches, universities, monuments and works of art.
As we have seen, the prejudice today is a social problem, often seen in the form of racism,
xenophobia and homophobia. So, education tries to eradicate these prejudices, encouraging
the valorization of different cultures, since, considering Human Rights, all human beings must
be treated with respect, regardless of race, nationality and religion, sexual orientation, gender
and culture.

In reference to racism, unfortunately, is structured in society even after the end of slavery in
the past, where blacks still often do not have the same opportunities as a white person and
suffer various types of violence every day. Given this fact, bringing relations of respect between
blacks and whites closer remains a great challenge, whose education seeks more egalitarian
ways to overcome this reality.

Concerning to xenophobia, one of the oldest forms of prejudice, which is still present today,
where immigrants are most affected. People of other nationalities suffer from their neglected
rights and are socially marginalized. In Brazil, an example of this are the Venezuelan and Syrian
refugees who imigrate in search of survival, fleeing the war. However, they are not assisted by
the government.

In the past, homosexuality was practiced and seen as something common and natural, by
civilizations in Greece and Rome. Afterwards, however, religions were primarily responsible for
discriminating against homo-affective relationships, which cause thousands of deaths and
torture, which continue today. Nevertheless, homosexuality is not considered a disease, but a
natural form of sexual manifestation, scientifically proven. Thus, homophobia should be
considered a crime in all societies in the world, which is not yet the reality.

By contrast to, observing some leaders, it is possible to highlight actions that deserve to be
remembered and served as examples: as well as Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian who led a
campaign for India's independence from British rule, using fasting as a means of protest and
boycotting imported products, never using physical violence or bloodshed, soon achieved
independence from India in 1947. Similarly, Nelson Mandela is considered to be the most
important leader in Black Africa, he fought faithfully against Apartheid, a segregationist regime,
producing peaceful protests against the established order. He was also the first democratically
elected black president in South Africa and not even the prison was able to stop his desire to
fight for the rights of his people, for a more free and egalitarian South Africa. Last but not least,
american activist Martin Luther King is famous for his inspiring struggle for racial equality and
civil rights without the use of force. Through his work as an activist, he is remembered for his
unshakable faith and inspires many people around the world to this day, in the fight against
racism.
In contrast, there were leaders who history proved to be bad and with bad judgments, such as
Saddam Hussein, a dictator known for his bloody path, invaded Iran and started one of the
worst wars in the world, is also responsible for the September 11th in New York. And soviet
politician Joseph Stalin, that was the author of totalitarian movements, mass repressions,
deportations and hundreds of millions of executions that killed thousands. Some historians
encourage that, apart from those who died of hunger, there are between 4 and 10 million
people who died under the Josehp Stalin regime.