The Courage to think Critically or the dangers of the Matrix
The short text by Richard Paul and Linda Elder, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools, might be quickly dismissed as ‘just’ an introductory tome – another one to go in our ‘toolkit’ and definitely keep for reference, but – like an encyclopedia – useful, but not really all that important.
I actually think this would do a great disservice to the book, or rather to the critical important ideas contained within this humble text.
Of course, for anyone paying close attention to our lead mentor during our orientation in London might have already picked up on that (Bonus points for me!). Jason stated multiple times that one of the central goals of the program was for us to become not critics, but critical thinkers. This book seeks to succinctly make the case for both how to do that and why doing that is so important.
I won’t spend time looking at the ‘how’ here – I suspect that all of us will have different aspects that struck a chord with us or, possibly, opened our eyes to an area of uncritical thought or assumption of cultural norm. I believe that the ‘why’ of thinking critically is significantly more interesting – and much more important.
While we often think of critical as something negative, again as Jason has repeatedly pointed out, critical thinking does not mean becoming a critic. Rather, critical thinking is about the active process of examining our thoughts and assumptions before we accept them.
The third definition that Google gives for the word critical is what we are really talking about (note the ironic/appropriate example used): involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement. “professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking in their students”
This type of critical thinking, far from being a negative, is essential to mature, well-developed and reasoned thought. It is also the necessary antidote to two other (non-critical) types of thinking that can lead to wrong conclusions and have significant negative consequences: ‘Egocentric thinking’ and ‘Sociocentric thinking’.
As I read about these two ways of thinking that rely not on objective fact, but personal or cultural predisposition and bias, it was impossible not to think about the current US presidential election and the countless times thinking along one or both of these lines has been displayed. It was, as one of the candidates might put it, sad(!), but more than that it clearly highlights that this call to critical thinking is not simply an academic concern. Critical thinking is a crucial skill for all of us not simply to succeed in our doctoral studies but to be responsible members of our communities and societies (unlike, say, being able to exactly follow Turabian’s rules, which has no discernable real world value – or maybe that might be an egocentric thought on my point……).
Critical thinking allows us to examine our thoughts and discover the connections between them and our biases, first towards ourselves (i.e. ‘It’s true because I believe it’); and our biases towards our native cultural context (i.e. It’s true because I grew up believing it’).
Critical thinking will, of course, make us better students, writers and researchers, but more than that it is necessary for us to live into the fullness of who we were created and called to be, to rise above selfish and self-serving thoughts and bounds to our cultural context to ‘seek what is true, right, noble, pure and admirable’ (Phil. 4:8).
Elder says that ‘Sociocentric thinking is a hallmark of an uncritical society'(Elder, Kindle location 278). I think there can be little argument that we are seeing the fruits of this uncritical labor in our politics and our broader social interactions. Elder goes on to give this response: ‘It can be diminished only when replaced by cross-cultural, fairminded thinking — critical thinking in the strong sense.’ (Elder, Kindle location 278).
I close with this thought from Elder: ‘Humans have the capacity to be rational and fair. But this capacity must be developed. It will be significantly developed only if critical societies emerge’ (Elder, Kindle location 286). That should be a clarion call to all of us to think critically not just in our academic work, but in every area of our lives.
About the Author
Chip Stapleton
Follower of Jesus Christ. Husband to Traci. Dad to Charlie, Jack, Ian and Henry. Preacher of Sermons, eater of ice cream, supporter of Arsenal. I love to talk about what God is doing in the world & in and through us & create space and opportunity for others to use their gifts to serve God and God's people.8 responses to “The Courage to think Critically or the dangers of the Matrix”
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Yes, watching the presidential campaign from the other side of the pond highlights the unbelievable tribal group think that seems to go on around politics on both sides of the Atlantic. Thinking for ourselves and not blindly parroting certain positions is very important – and, it seems, very rare.
Right on, Chip! There’s probably no better example of uncritical thinking in our country than our presidential elections. I’m embarrassed to admit to being an American sometimes.
Yes, the summaries and templates are useful tools, but as you pointed out the really deep, insightful points were in the other discussions such as “Sociocentric” thinking. Critical thinking is something we need as Christians for life.
Chip enjoyed reading your post this week. “Cross-cultural and fair minded thinking” 2 things our current society lacks! We are way to accepting of uncritical thinking and fostering a culture where “I believe its true because I do” without any merit or basis to justify our beliefs. Our Egocentric way of thinking places us at the center and doesn’t allow for us to be objective despite the fact that we think we really are. Elder wrote “As humans we live with the unrealistic but confident sense that we have fundamentally figured out the way things actually are, and that we have done this objectively” (Kindle, 295)
Critical thinking can help us “to live into the fullness of who we were created and called to be, to rise above selfish and self-serving thoughts.”
I think that your blog balances our Jim’s. While Jim warns us that we are to live our live as people of faith, not critics. You bring out the positive aspect that God created us to be people of truth and discernment.
I like that you decided to address the issue of the term “critical”. It does have a negative annotation but also it let us know that it is serious. We need to seriously or effectively think on what we read and how we interpret what we read.
I love the memes.
Chip: Another brave post in a time when our country is profoundly divided. Your pastor’s heart shows through here, and it’s welcome wisdom.
“Critical thinking is a crucial skill for all of us not simply to succeed in our doctoral studies but to be responsible members of our communities and societies.”
Excellent point! In a culture that is based on the needs of the individual, we tend not to take the whole into consideration in our decision-making processes. Therefore, we tend to compartmentalize our opinions, our decisions, and responsibilities. That compartment is “me!” After all, what’s best for me is what’s best. I have to do what’s right for me. This view is not biblical, and it’s not healthy. Enjoyed your post!
“I believe that the ‘why’ of thinking critically is significantly more interesting – and much more important.” Indeed!
Rowntree encourages us to ask our professors why a text has been chosen (101), but in this case, we can infer that Jason is offering us the opportunity to understand what he has said multiple times (we just don’t always listen to our moms or our professors; sometimes truth has to come from an outside voice).
When I read the statement this “capacity to be rational and fair… will be significantly developed only if critical societies emerge”, I wonder how our authors expect/imagine a “critical society” will actually emerge? Seems utopian, especially in light of our current national situations (American & British). Or perhaps it is in the Kingdom of God, when we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us and reconcile us… reconciliation which, I imagine, occurs when we are not only rational and fair, but merciful and grace-full, willing to trust and be trusted, poured out for others as Jesus was for us.
So, it seems like the current sociopolitical climate has many of us wondering if critical thinking took the last train for the coast. You are spot on when you say this isn’t just a matter for our academic work. Unless we get serious about critical thinking, how can we be change-agents in our society?