Critical Thinking
Well it goes without saying that it is critical to think. Have you ever tried not to?
I don't mean have you tried to meditate. We all know that even during meditation, you're thinking. It's a critical part of being.
But that's not what is meant by critical thinking, is it? It's a concept about a certain type of thinking. It's more high brow. It's educated, academic even. It's something you can be taught to do.
Critical thinking involves analysis of facts. It involves thinking about complex topics. It involves judgement.
At its heart though, critical thinking is about asking questions. It's about diving deep into a topic and turning it on its head if necessary. Great philosophers are critical thinkers.
And I've found the greatest philosophers of our time are...
Children.
They are amazing at taking something you think you know about and turning it on its head. They are amazing at asking curveball questions. They are amazing at seeing from a completely new perspective and opening up windows where before there were only walls.
Have you ever considered what a group of 5-year-olds would think about war? If you put it to them that two countries only answer to their problems was violence, do you think they might have some new ideas on the subject?
It's interesting that when a child is young one of their favourite words - or so it seems - is 'WHY?'
Being a critical thinker isn't high-brow at all. It doesn't need to be taught.
It is allowing yourself to become as inquisitive as a child.
To wonder.
And when you wonder fully you see the wonderful world and all its possibilities.
I realize this is 8 days ago - and well past payout! LOL (but my upvote is only a penny anyway! and typically opinions are "2 cents" so.....
how's that for critical thinking? hahahahahaa
And this is why I love the mind of a child!!!! Because I am still one i think. LOL I STILL ask why - daily.
But at least with kids - you can chalk it up to their age and ignore their constance of their Inquisition.
I'm much harder to ignore, and therefore - VERY annoying to the people I set my focus on. LOLOLOL
I don't do it to be funny, or annoying or bothersome. I just really like to understand "why".
People get so mad when I ask that.... lol
but when they get mad.... I wanna know.... yep, why. LOLOL
Your comment is worth its weight in gold and I can't believe anyone could possibly find you annoying. Inquisitive, yes. Bothersome, no. Glad you popped over and read my post, especially as I know how busy you are. x
nicely done, simple but to the point. you got my vote! :)
Ah thank you. Ditto!
There is a book by a neuroscientist named Raymond Tallis titled In Defense of Wonder. In it he discusses things like memory, time, and so on. He goes through some interesting topics and turns them over in a way that leaves the reader to, well, wonder. I haven't yet read it through, but I've seen snippets of it and it seems it would be a good antidote to the type of philosophical thinking that often leads to cynicism.
I've read some of his other works and enjoyed them. Hopefully I'll get around to reading this one soon. Maybe it'll help reinvigorate some of that childlike wonder I seem to have lost as I've gotten older.
Anything that reinvigorates your childlike wonder is worth the time it takes. in my opinion. And now you have brought Raymond to my attention, I will just have to join you in the reading of his work. I love the title Defense of Wonder but wonder... does it truly needed to be defended?
Its a wonder that it does, heh, but unfortunately it seems to be the case.
Right then, I'm going to join or set up The Wonder Defense League. Wanna join?
...but first, maybe I better read the book. :D
I'm right behind you, though I wonder if I'll stop procrastinating and actually read the book myself. :P
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