The Myth of Critical Thinking

Discussion in 'General Philosophy' started by Magical Realist, Feb 22, 2017.

  1. Vociferous Valued Senior Member

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    Wait. Critical thinking is hard to define? Since when?

    Successful critical thinking just avoids letting assumptions lead analysis. But due to implicit biases, it's not a completely attainable goal. Even so, critical thinking in the face of explicit biases is far superior to no critically thinking at all.
     
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  3. Daecon Kiwi fruit Valued Senior Member

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    Exactly. When has NOT thinking critically about something ever been the better course of action?
     
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  5. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    When a bus is coming at you and you need to move out of the way quick

    Go with reflex. Don't drag out the camp seat and contemplate

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  7. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Would you agree that mathematics require critical thinking? If so, then the highlighted sentence (bolded by me), is incorrect and I can provide the proof visually.

    Watch this NOVA clip, and start at 59.24 (unless you decide to watch it all.

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    )
    It clearly shows higher neural activity in specific areas assiocated with specific types of thinking.

    In this case, the processing of mathematics, which I assume all will agree that doing mathematics requires at least a form of critical thinking. The rest is a matter of degree of sophistication and properties of the mirror neural network in each individual (receiving more specific an detailed information of reality in accordance to their perspective).
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2018
  8. Beer w/Straw Transcendental Ignorance! Valued Senior Member

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    It got Trump elected.
     
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  9. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    As opposed to the alternative? If candidate A wants what I want, I should vote for candidate B?

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  10. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Bw/S is saying that not thinking critically is what got Trump elected.
     
  11. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    I understand what she was saying. But they made a choice based on their needs and wants. It was critical thinking that brought Trump to office. If Hillary had offered the same thing, she might be president now. I'm not saying that emotion wasn't a factor, but at its core people align themselves to their desires, which is logical and reasonable.
     
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  12. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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  13. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    Please.
    Gullibility is the opposite of critical thinking. Gullibility of that degree is the opposite of thinking at all.
    The average Trump voter displayed the critical thinking skills of a baby sunfish. ( they need the worm, they want the worm, but they aren't displaying critical thinking skills when they actually swallow the worm -

    and when the hook is neon lit and has been pointed out to them, the idea that the worm was aligned with their needs isn't even a joke - it's an inexplicability. If history begins as tragedy and ends as farce, Trump is what you get after that - a numbing loss.)
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2018
  14. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    Whose line of BS should they have voted for, Hillary's or Trump's?
     
  15. river

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    INDEED

    Thanks MR
     
  16. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    Critical thinking cannot lead to a Trump vote. That established, what you "should" do is less obvious - depends on the situation.
     
  17. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    Is it "established" based on your desires? Had Hillary promised the same things, would she be president?
     
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  18. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    The one with the best prior record of service or value to the Nation?
     
  19. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    But if you have lost faith in the political structure, what's the reason to vote for another politician? Trump is as much a revolt against the Republican as well as the Democrat. If you desire change, what's the reason to vote for another politician? Critical thinking when searching for a different outcome would suggest trying something new, would it not? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is a fools game.
     
  20. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Well, you get what you wish for.
    Trump came to "drain te swamp". But if you then turn the swamp into a "landfill" with trash. Where is the benefit?
    We need look only at the number of Trump's people slated to go to jail. Who then has created a new swamp, or turned the swamp into a trash can?

    It seems that critical thinking today only exist in the area of how to make the greatest fortune.
     
  21. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    And Bill and Hillary have been beneficiaries of the very same.
    http://moneynation.com/hillary-clinton-net-worth/
    Is there more? Perhaps the Travel Ban was a response to his constituency, or his immigration policies, or maybe the tax law?
     
  22. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    Not on my "desires" - what in hell are you even talking about?
    What Hillary did or didn't say makes no difference whatsoever here. What Trump did or did not say makes no difference, either. You can't justify a vote for Trump based critical thinking, was the point.
    So don't vote for Clinton. But that doesn't begin to justify a vote for Trump.
    Not for anyone thinking critically. You'd have to switch off every critical thinking faculty you have to think Trump was engaged in some kind of "revolt" against the Republican Party.
    The slightest thought, barest memory, not even "critical", would immediately inform one that Trump wasn't new. He was Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, Ronald Reagan, all over again - same old racist twaddle and dog whistling, same old agenda: lower taxes on the rich, roll back the New Deal policies, deregulate the major industries especially financial, throw money at the military.
     
  23. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    As far as I know, not while they were in office. Usually, good lawyers could make a lot more money in the private sector, but give that up to be of service to the nation. If after their sevice they make a million dollars on having a best selling book and being invited to lecture, that would be just reward.
     

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