{"id":5777,"date":"2015-09-17T14:55:18","date_gmt":"2015-09-17T21:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/?p=5777"},"modified":"2015-09-17T15:13:28","modified_gmt":"2015-09-17T22:13:28","slug":"dig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/dig\/","title":{"rendered":"“DIG!”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"DIG\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cDig!\u201d John\u2019s voice echoed off the nearby cliffs. We all reached in \u2013 determined to steer the raft through the roaring rapids. Each wave crested above our heads; challenging our grip with each forceful blow. \u201cWe\u2019re digging. We\u2019re digging.\u201d We muttered. Disgruntled looks shot across the small boat. We were tired. We were frustrated. We were indignant. The gray barricade stood like Goliath \u2013 taunting us and drawing us in despite our disorganized effort. We all shouted out our various solutions, until the raft erupted in nonsensical bickering. The wall drew closer, and we all turned towards our captain \u2013 we waited direction \u2013 we waited his cue \u2013 we waited for unity of thought. \u201cDig.\u201d Each man and woman crouched down; lowering themselves to the water\u2019s edge \u2013 digging through the rapid waters \u2013 each heave pulling us closer to safety.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Critical thinking is much like white water rafting. It requires one to question, doubt, engage in conversation, consider opposing views and forgo ego-centric concern. It requires one to look out and survey the landscape. It requires one to see the whole picture, before executing the right procedure. One must weigh the options and be led by intelligent conviction. We are challenged to think of ALL, yet not be swayed by ANY. Paul and Elder suggest that reasoning requires us to be purposed and utilize research and data to draw factual deductions. They dare us to delve into the topic and leave personal bias out of the equation. \u201cWe naturally think from our own perspective, from a point of view which tends to privilege our position. Fairness implies the treating of all relevant viewpoints alike without reference to one\u2019s own feelings or interest.\u201d[1]<\/a> Fairminded thinking requires us to engage in various views, while respecting opposing viewpoints. It does not suggest apathetic submissiveness or silence. It simply advocates fairness \u2013 a choice that seeks to bring forth a conversation that leaves others enriched. A choice that leaves one held accountable to the same standards imposed on others.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reason requires us to delve into the possible outcomes and conjure up a statement that\u2019s backed up with integrity of character. \u201cWe naturally believe in our intuitive perceptions \u2013 however inaccurate. Instead of using intellectual standards in thinking, we often use self-centered psychological standards to determine what to believe and what to reject.\u201d[2]<\/a> The authors are not negating the inclusion of emotions when addressing a subject; they\u2019re simply stating that personal opinion must take a backseat to logical exploration. Intuition must be supported with evidential reasoning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I recently came across an article<\/a> that went viral on social media. The author spoke with authority \u2013 he swayed the reader through emotive stories and sought to gain their allegiance through tantalizing tales of assumptions. Sadly, many fell for the bait and the article grew Facebook attention and media frenzy. The author of the blog post, insinuated that the \u201cmillennial culture\u201d should stop berating the church and be silenced. My qualm is not with the article itself (everyone is entitled to an opinion), but it\u2019s the reaction that ensued without critical analysis. Thousands re-posted this piece without question to the author\u2019s validity, opposing opinions, statistical data or even presenting millennials with the opportunity to interact and rebuff the author\u2019s claims. Paul and Elder stated, \u201cSociocentric thinking is a hallmark of an uncritical society. It can be diminished only when replaced by cross-cultural, fairminded thinking \u2013 critical thinking in the strong sense.\u201d[3]<\/a> For many, this article was simply a form of hushing a generation who dared to think critically. It was posted in hopes to intimidate a culture who asked the church to look like Christ. Millennials\u00a0 were labeled indignant; when in fact, they’re inquisitive – a generation who seeks to be critical thinkers. It\u2019s a natural reaction to protect the church \u2013 however when does it become detrimental? When does our unyielding support, get in the way of God cleaning house? When does our defense keep us from critical thinking? Reid’s article was a perfect opportunity for the church as a whole to give answers \u2013 yet thousands echoed the author’s stance without thought to his argument.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I have seen many Facebook conversations quickly become an emotional hub of insults and backstabbing, simply because people respond without knowledge of the subject matter. They feel threatened by a differing point of view, and instead of engaging in intellectual conversation, they litter threads with emotional reactions that are based on personal opinion \u2013 not logical conclusions. They quickly lambast and critique posts, but speak from a place of indoctrination, without logical conviction. Paul and Elder stated, \u201cIntellectual humility depends on recognizing that one should not claim more than one actually knows. It does not imply spinelessness or submissiveness. It implies the lack of intellectual pretentiousness, boastfulness, or conceit, combined with insight into the logical foundation, or lack of such a foundation, of one\u2019s beliefs.\u201d[4]<\/a> Logic is the conclusive foundation that one can stand upon, once they\u2019ve considered all viewpoints and given each argument an unbiased attempt. Paul and Elder challenge us to be men and women of integrity. They ask us to \u201cdig\u201d through the variables, weigh the alternative voices and conclude with a sound argument. They ask us to think critically \u2013 which is \u201c…self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking.\u201d[5]<\/a> They are challenging us to think of ALL, yet not be swayed by ANY.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As we approached the jutted rocks that day on the thunderous rapids, we had a choice \u2013 we had the choice to survive using logic or surrender to emotion. Paul and Elder declare, \u201cShoddy thinking is costly…\u201d[6]<\/a> Poor thinking is like getting caught on the boulders \u2013 you must rock back-and-forth to break free. Critical thinking requires one to enter into dialogue and question, doubt and gather information for the goal of a solution. Critical thinking is willingness to rock the boat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Richard Paul and Linda Elder,\u00a0Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools<\/em>, Thinker’s Guide Library (Tomales, Calif.: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2014), 116.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Richard Paul and Linda Elder,\u00a0Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools<\/em>, Thinker’s Guide Library (Tomales, Calif.: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2014), 251.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Richard Paul and Linda Elder,\u00a0Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools<\/em>, Thinker’s Guide Library (Tomales, Calif.: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2014), 276.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Richard Paul and Linda Elder,\u00a0Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools<\/em>, Thinker’s Guide Library (Tomales, Calif.: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2014), 170.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Pg. Richard Paul and Linda Elder,\u00a0Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools<\/em>, Thinker’s Guide Library (Tomales, Calif.: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2014), 39.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Richard Paul and Linda Elder,\u00a0Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools<\/em>, Thinker’s Guide Library (Tomales, Calif.: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2014), 29.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cDig!\u201d John\u2019s voice echoed off the nearby cliffs. We all reached in \u2013 determined to steer the raft through the roaring rapids. Each wave crested above our heads; challenging our grip with each forceful blow. \u201cWe\u2019re digging. We\u2019re digging.\u201d We muttered. Disgruntled looks shot across the small boat. We were tired. We were frustrated. We […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[290],"class_list":["post-5777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-elder","cohort-lgp6"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5777"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5791,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5777\/revisions\/5791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}