Characteristics of Critical/Uncritical Thinkers

[greyl]

Thought I'd drag this out again in light of the current struggle between cheerleading and inquiring.

Critical Thinkers

Are honest with themselves, acknowledging what they do not know, recognizing their limitations, and being watchful of their own errors.

Regard problems and controversial issues as exciting challenges.

Strive for understanding, keep curiosity alive, remain patient with complexity and ready to invest time to overcome confusion.

Set aside personal preferences and base judgments on evidence, deferring judgment whenever evidence is insufficient. They revise judgments when new evidence reveals error.

Are interested in other people's ideas, so are willing to read and listen attentively, even when they tend to disagree with the other person.

Recognize that extreme views (whether conservative or liberal) are seldom correct, so they avoid them, practice fair-mindedness, and seek a balanced view.

Practice restraint, controlling their feelings rather than being controlled by them, and thinking before acting.



Uncritical Thinkers


Pretend they know more than they do, ignore their limitations, and assume their views are error-free.

Regard problems and controversial issues as nuisances or threats to their ego.

Are impatient with complexity and thus would rather remain confused than make the effort to understand.

Base judgments on first impressions and gut reactions. They are unconcerned about the amount or quality of evidence and cling to earlier views steadfastly.

Are preoccupied with self and their own opinions, and so are unwilling to pay attention to others' views. At the first sign of disagreement they tend to think, "How can I refute this?"

Ignore the need for balance and give preference to views that support their established views.

Tend to follow their feelings and act impulsively.


-Vincent Ruggiero

[Cappurr]

1. Well there is not dowbt that Clinton was a critical thinker

It got him in trouble lots of times like over DOMA and Welfare Refore. But he had a progressive plan that he hoped to hand over to Gore.

Equally there is no doubt that you Have nothing but critical thinkers in the current administration. They all think they are right and refuse any other possilibity to help them in a delimna they created.

[greyl]

2. ?

I think you must have missed an "un" in there. :)

[HereSince1628]

3. So is that true?

I know you're trying to be helpful but run that one through the fallacy thread.

I don't think that gets a pass, either.

Of course, I am not a logician, though I find it an interesting proposal, and would be willing to study it, so that I could correct my position, though I notice Vince didn't provide any evidence I could get it from others, recognizing of course that although rare revolutionary ideas usually provide way more value than the old saw in the center. But I think I'll restain myself, now, maybe.

[greyl]

4. It sure lines up well with the Berkeley study

from a month or so ago.
It's presented as educated opinion, not fact.
Ruggiero is a modern philosopher, not strictly a researcher. It's only food for thought.

What do you think is fallacious about it?

[greyl]

11. link to Berkeley Study

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/07/22_politics.shtml

[baldguy]

13. So true, so true.

from the study:

"...some of the common psychological factors linked to political conservatism include:
-Fear and aggression
-Dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity
-Uncertainty avoidance
-Need for cognitive closure
-Terror management"

[noiretextatique]

14. 'conservatives' penchant for accepting inequality...'

no shit! :D quite an interesting study. this penchant for accepting inequality sure explains a lot...like the voter purge in FL, and ronald reagan's appeal, with his not-so-subtle appeals for a return to a very imperfect past. very interesting indeed.

[BurtWorm]

5. I was thinking of these characteristics the other day.

I had been composing in my mind a post comparing ideological thinking vs. logical thinking. I may take a crack at putting it down. Anything to raise the level of discourse is welcome!

[greyl]

15. Talk about them tomorrow

chappy. :)

[kodi]

6. it's well known that the first step towards wisdom is to admit ignorance

ancient sages of all cultures tells us that, but i guess it bears repeating.

[eek]

7. Thanks for this thread

Food for thought, indeed rather than dogma.
Supports profile of Critical thinker.

A boiled down version of "the first step towards wisdom is to admit ignorance" could be the thing so many schoolteachers have told us; "there are no stupid questions".


Happy too, to see words like fallacious getting some exercise.

Please do jot down some thoughts about ideology vs logic.
I never studied philo or lit crit or, in fact, anything but I do love words and ideas.

Thanks

[greyl]

8. kick nt

[greyl]

9. prove

that it's unimportant and I'll stop kicking it. :)

[nuxvomica]

10. Why wouldn't a critical thinker embrace an "extreme" view?

This sentence doesn't sound like critical thought:

Recognize that extreme views (whether conservative or liberal) are seldom correct, so they avoid them, practice fair-mindedness, and seek a balanced view.

A balanced view on some issues is a faulty view conditioned by social truth, which is often incorrect. Of course, I'm speaking of liberal extremism here, not conservative. Conservative extremism is always totally incorrect.

[greyl]

12. slight semantic hiccup

But keep in mind that the opposite of extreme here is "fair-minded and balanced."

Fair-minded and balanced views can still thoroughly oppose the status quo, it's just that they are fair and balanced. Accurate, taking all evidence into account, not diluted, iow.

edit: A critical thinker can give consideration to an "extreme" view without dismissing it simply because it's "new and different".