Blog Post #48: Critical Thinking
Critical thinking doesn’t seem to be around much anymore. It used to be taught in our schools, but less so now. In fact, we are not encouraged quite often to think or ask questions. In politics, there is a real absence of critical thinking quite often. Questioning what is presented and making sure it makes sense is often required. Much of what is being presented now in the media on both sides of the issue doesn’t make sense to a rational person. The war in Iran is a good example of this. But unfortunately that is not the test anymore.
Now God knows I am not talking about alternative facts of which there are many floating around. I’m talking about looking closely at what you’re being told in the media that you are encouraged with, and what you’re being told by people like the President of this country. I am talking about asking good questions and requiring those in authority to answer them truthfully. Unfortunately, many in the media have learned that if they do this they will be barred from the White House Press Corps or they will be called names and put down in front of their colleagues that people like the President of the United States.
Critical thinking involved what Chris Matthews used to call “hardball.” He was very good at asking tough questions and not accepting flimsy answers. The questions that we throw at our politicians and those in authority should be hard, not soft. We should be playing hardball, not softball.
And we should teach our children to question the things that they hear and see in the media and what they hear and see with their friends and family. We need to raise a generation that can think critically about our world and are not afraid to question authority, especially when they say things that don’t make good sense.
Unfortunately, many have learned that they can lie and get away with it. When we know someone is lying or distorting the facts. We should correct them. We can do this in a nice way. Him him. We need to hold them accountable for what they are saying. Accountability is another thing these days there’s not enough of.
Ron Breazeale PhD
Clinical Psychologist
