Critical Thinking

Around the time of the Civil War, John Stuart Mill wrote essays in opposition to slavery and in favor of women’s rights.  In both cases he recognized the difficulty of persuading people to change their minds when their conviction was based on feelings rather than logic – thinking with their hearts instead of their brains.  Near the beginning of “The Subjection of Women” he writes:  “So long as opinion is strongly rooted in the feelings, it gains rather than loses instability by having a preponderating weight of argument against it. For if it were accepted as a result of argument, the refutation of the argument might shake the solidity of the conviction; but when it rests solely on feeling, … the more persuaded adherents are that their feeling must have some deeper ground, … always throwing up fresh entrenchments of argument to repair any breach made in the old.”  In other words, it’s tough to get people to change their mind when their opinion is not based on logic.  The more you talk, the deeper they dig in to protect long-held beliefs. 

We see this behavior almost daily.  We are warned to avoid subjects of religion and politics in social conversations.  They lead to no resolution, instead causing others to dig in to protect their turf.

This is why many of my critical thinking arguments will fall on deaf ears.  Considering, though, the waste, misdirection and sometimes danger that result from individual and societal forays down these blind alleys of feeling-based decisions, I will continue.

There are two categories of critical thinking.  The first involves paying closer attention, for example, recognizing the popular advertising pitch of “save up to 50% or more” as virtually meaningless.  Literally interpreted, it means:  maybe saving some undefined amount.  Likewise, how can all car insurance companies save you (up to) $300 when you switch?  They all say so.  One even claims that  80% of those who switched saved money - but doesn't mention the 20% dumb enough to switch anyway.  These examples, and there are many of them, just take some basic questioning.

The second category of critical thinking hits on subjects treated almost as religious beliefs.  When I warn of the dangers of dietary supplements, the ineffectiveness of performance bracelets, or that all-natural does not necessarily mean healthier, I know there are a certain number of readers who will dig in, ignoring examples, evidence and explanations, knowing in their hearts that they are doing the right thing, resisting rather than even considering an alternative point of view.  For some the ideas of green and sustainable are nearly sacred.  They will not bat an eye when told that a particular windmill, for example, saves enough coal-powered energy to pay for itself in 150 years, but has a life expectancy of only 50 years!  “But, but, but it’s green!  It must be good.  It’s the direction we need to be moving!”  Logic is lost in feelings and further argument leads only to increased resistance.

Nevertheless, I will continue to cite examples and drive the message of critical thinking.  Making good decisions most of the time is essential for our success, both as individuals and as a society.