Abstract:

The consequences of global anti-pandemic measures have also affected, inter alia, the field of social work. The authors present in the current study the results of their monitoring, especially in the field of interpersonal relationships, negative trends in communication and a clear increase in public interest in conspiracy theories, all of which make it difficult to develop social work in a significant way. The existential fear and distrust of the individual towards people and national and international institutions is a very serious challenge. A possible solution to this complex of problems is the emphasis on broad-spectrum cultivation of critical thinking, which the authors advocate in the current study. The authors consider the absence of consistent education in the field of logical thinking in schools to be one of the key factors of negative trends, the consequences of which must be perceived in the relations of interpersonal relationships and the quality of social life at all levels.

Keywords:

Conspiracies, critical thinking, dehumanization, existential fear, radicalization.