Nature has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue-to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak - Socrates
I arise at two o'clock in the morning time and again. I get up and go to another bedroom in order not to wake up Tina. I lie down in bed "for guests" and try to fall asleep. The dream that woke me up and that I don't want to pursue remains on my mind. In order to distract myself, I start thinking about critical thinking. I realize that I have never studied this topic, although I often mention in my writings the importance of critical thinking on this or that. Well, it's time it didn't end there. Allow me, therefore, to begin the process and deepen my research in this area, which is essentially a continuation of what I began in the previous text on truth.
Critical thinking is generally defined as the rational, skeptical, and unbiased analysis or assessment of factual evidence. This is self-directed, disciplined, controlled, and self-correcting thinking. * If we look back in history, we find that the original credit belongs to Socrates. He believed that to have a life worthy of being lived, we had to be a critical examiner of everything that exists. We need to ask a myriad of questions before we accept ideas as truths. His method of examination is now familiar as the Socratic questioning and is the best-known strategy to teach critical thinking. It consists of asking questions to expose irrational thinking or a lack of reliable knowledge. Socrates was consistent in his teachings even at the time of his death sentence, so he rejected his friends' offer to flee. Running away would be giving up everything he stood for.
Do you know any "Socrates" from your surroundings? Someone who is consistent in advocating the truth despite the "death sentence." That is able to challenge those in power and say truthful words to their faces similar to the words attributed to Socrates.
I know a person who was inspired by Socrates and his method. His name is Christopher Phillips. He started discussion groups in 1996 called Socrates' Cafés. These groups encourage people to ask questions, exchange ideas, and consider many alternative answers. This concept stems from the opinion that, outside the college, most people do not have many opportunities to meet with others who wish to discuss ideas. Phillips believes that only in a group environment can people express their ideas on how we should behave not only as individuals but also as a society. To avoid divisive debates, these groups often transform current events into broader philosophical issues. ** For example, instead of asking whether Russia should attack Ukraine, the group asks, "What is a just war?" Instead of arguing about whether gay couples should get married, the question “What is a great marriage?" is more useful for everyone.
Soon, the groups began to grow like mushrooms across America, from the Indian Reservation, the airport terminal, prisons, centers for the elderly, and shelters for the homeless. They quickly became an international phenomenon, so that at the time of the 25th anniversary of the starting of the first Socrates Café, there were over 600 officially sanctioned groups around the world. Obviously, in this time of divisions, social media, "shooting from the hip", and all uncritical ways in which people express themselves, there are still other people eager to manifest Socrates' belief that an unexplored life is not worth living.
Now that we have paid tribute to the great Socrates, let us turn to the characteristics of someone who is inclined to think critically. This person has a desire to follow reason and evidence wherever it leads, systematically approaches problem-solving, shows curiosity, impartiality, and confidence in reasoning. *** One may conclude that critical thinkers have attained a level of maturity above the egocentric and ethnocentric levels of development. They have a certain moral attitude (concern for the welfare of all) and a set of skills (reflective thinking) that enables them to perceive phenomena with their eyes wide open and to see them as they actually are.
But many of us are still in the "survival mode" of thinking, the "low road" of information processing. In this mode, everything that enters our brain through the sensory organs is evaluated in terms of safety. Everything that is perceived as a potential threat is the subject of an automatic and irrational response (so-called “knee-jerk” reaction). It's our emotional mind talking, and with that, very loud. If we wish to invoke free will and freedom of choice, we would do better to take the "high road." This will enable reflective and critical thinking to dominate in our decision-making process. Sadly, modern technology reduces the influence of high road on low road responses. These days, individuals are mainly connected remotely, using a range of social media platforms. They effectively reduce the amount and quality of personal interactions while increasing stress levels. The consequence of our excessive dependence on technology is to reduce the use of critical thinking as an instrument of social cohesion and problem-solving tool.
Critical thinking is required in all fields of education and science because it puts emphasis on logical thinking rather than false beliefs. Moreover, critical thinking is needed to remove prejudices and biases, as well as to expose hidden propaganda manipulations, distortions, and misinformation. This is confirmed by Gary Schwartz in the book The Afterlife Experiments when he says: “Being true to logic means that we follow the logic where it takes us, even if it takes us to areas we do not like or even frighten us because the predictions challenge our current world views. Being true to logic is a prerequisite to being true to data. And being true to data is the heart and soul of science.” ****
How can we improve in critical thinking? It's not an easy thing to do because it takes effort. Our brain is not built through the process of biological evolution to facilitate and foster the use of reflective thinking. Nor is it designed to help us live in an adaptive and productive way in the world as it is. For this reason, we must call upon the "wisdom of the ages" and use the knowledge of cultural evolution. This reminds me of something Sir Isaak Newton said to explain his achievements. In the letter to his fellow scientist, Robert Hooke, he wrote: "If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." If one of the greatest minds in the world is capable of recognizing others instead of praising himself, we can do the same. We can learn too how to stand on the shoulders of our wise predecessors. In this regard, I will use tried and true teaching that assists in the development of critical thinking.
1. Become aware of your strengths and weaknesses to better understand your thinking patterns. An honest and open approach to yourself will allow you to approach others in the same way.
2. Understand your mental process because we all differ and process information in our own way. The brain has a lot of "channels" so it's good to know their strength and range.
3. Practice active listening so you can really hear and understand someone else's position and point of view. Here, too, the inevitable Socrates advises us in the quote given at the beginning of the text about this important aspect of interaction with others.
4. Ask questions to manifest your inner Socrates, especially to shed light on whether something is a fact, an opinion, or an idea. This process facilitates the correct assessment of a piece of information.
5. Evaluate the available evidence using logic and truthfulness. Maybe for some of us, it's time to get that old book of logic out from the bookshelf and remind ourselves of the laws of correct reasoning and good arguments. ****
So now let's see if you know how to be a peaceful warrior. Are you ready to take the "high road" even if it takes you to unexpected lands? What do you say?
* Critical Dialogues: Thinking Together in Turbulent Times, by John Clarke, Bristol: Policy Press, 2019
** Socrates Cafe: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy, by Christopher Phillips, W W Norton & Co Inc., 2001
*** Re-Thinking Reason: New Perspectives in Critical Thinking, by Kerry S. Walters, SUNY Press, 1994
**** The Afterlife Experiments: Breakthrough Scientific Evidence of Life After Death, by Gary E. Schwartz, Atria, 2003
***** https://www.indeed.com/
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