or preparing them to govern themselves and to eventually participate in governing a nation ruled by reason, not authority over the people. A nation that argues reasoning with logic and not guns. — Athena
For "king", I read "$$", but for the rest, I agree. Except that I don't believe there is time for an eventuality that relies on future education - which, in any case, is not currently achievable. — Vera Mont
Along those lines people are then easily divided, because criticism of the narrative becomes a criticism of the person themselves. Communication becomes impossible, because every debate is a battle between personas. — Tzeentch
Critical thought is what is needed, but can critical thought even be learned? — Tzeentch
The authors offer a few theoretical explanations, including the fact that critical thinking may be viewed negatively by right-wing individuals (due to group loyalty and respect for authority), or the theory that blunting one’s cognition presents a strategic advantage if one’s goal is to avoid information and thinking that threatens one’s worldview.
This is 'identity politics', and it essentially keeps us in a state of permanent intellectual warfare with our fellow man — Tzeentch
The problem of our time is that the ruling elite have turned mass manipulation into an artform that would have made even Goebbels proud.
They know exactly what strings to pull to get people emotionally invested in their narratives, generally by feeding a sense of moral superiority. The narrative becomes an integral part of their self-image. The narrative has been tied to the ego and becomes as precious to its followers as if it were an arm or a leg.
Along those lines people are then easily divided, because criticism of the narrative becomes a criticism of the person themselves. Communication becomes impossible, because every debate is a battle between personas.
This is 'identity politics', and it essentially keeps us in a state of permanent intellectual warfare with our fellow man.
Education is pointless to combat this, because even the well-educated fall prey to pride. In fact, so-called intellectuals may be more susceptible to it.
Man has been utterly divided and conquered by the powers that be, and its his arrogance that stops him from admitting that.
Critical thought is what is needed, but can critical thought even be learned?
Perhaps virtue would be the place to start.
Humility, so as to always keep the possibility that one may be wrong, and the other may be right. A quintessential quality for critical thought, perhaps.
Charity and kindness, to extend the benefit of the doubt to other people. To assume they act in good faith. And to treat them well, even if they don't believe what you believe. — Tzeentch
So arrogance, pride and brainwashing are the sources of social conflict? And the old-fashioned moral virtues are the solution? I would flip this around. Belief in the old fashioned moral virtues forces us into a way of interpreting social behavior in terms of such concepts as pride and brainwashing. If we discard moldy subject-based moralisms in favor of a more sophisticated account of human behavior based on reciprocal and joint interaction we can leave the personalized blame aside and focus on collective aims. — Joshs
par·a·dox
noun
a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
"in a paradox, he has discovered that stepping back from his job has increased the rewards he gleans from it" — Oxford languages
So arrogance, pride and brainwashing are the sources of social conflict? — Joshs
As I see it, the main requirement for democracy is a sense of common purpose, not "critical thinking." — T Clark
As I see it, the main requirement for democracy is a sense of common purpose, not "critical thinking." — T Clark
I've been hearing this for decades. — Tom Storm
If you know a way to nullify the effects of dogma and propaganda without critical thought, please share it. — Vera Mont
No, I don't, but I think changing our attitudes toward each other would be easier — T Clark
As I noted, many of the posts in this thread show a clear lack of respect for them - the irrational, non-critical thinking hoi polloi. — T Clark
Why should anyone make common cause for someone who feels contempt for them? — T Clark
No, I don't, but I think changing our attitudes toward each other would be easier than somehow creating a nation of so-called critical thinkers. — T Clark
:100:Too many people are failing in life and too many are serious nut cases and too many are willing to make money any way they can without concern about the harm done to others. On top of that, we are destroying our democracy as all our institutions are failing. — Athena
You tell us how to go about that, and I'm on board. — Vera Mont
I just don't know how to respect people who drive an SUV into a crowd, post death- and rape-threats to elected officials, value their guns above their children and want their republic-not-democracy presided over by Trump or De Santis? — Vera Mont
They shouldn't. I know I couldn't make common cause with someone who would prefer to see me hanging from a lamppost. — Vera Mont
I think you're correct in your intuition that humans having a shared purpose is more important than critical thinking combined with internecine goals. One of the big issues we face these days seems to be the atomized nature of culture and the lack of solidarity. How do we get important projects initiated and completed without broad cooperation? — Tom Storm
You haven't told us how to go about accomplishing the whole critical thinking, rationality thing. — T Clark
The advantage my solution has over yours is that it's something you, I, and all people of good will can do right now. — T Clark
So, you equate people who support Donald Trump with people who drive their SUVs into a crowd. — T Clark
Those who can induce you to believe absurdities can persuade you to commit atrocities.
Question - I get the impression that things in Australia are much less contentious than they are here in the US. Is that not true? — T Clark
The advantage my solution has over yours is that it's something you, I, and all people of good will can do right now. Treat people with respect. — T Clark
We have much more in common than we do in conflict. — T Clark
And we also have a culture war around race and politics (a low calorie version compared to yours). Ours hasn't been fueled by a Trump equivalent. — Tom Storm
The irony for Australia in the post–Cold War era is that our dependence on the United States has grown as the strategic options in our region have narrowed.
But there is hope https://theconversation.com/did-australia-just-make-a-move-to-the-left-183611Right-wing or ‘far right’ extremism is not a new phenomenon, in Australia or internationally, but in recent years has re-emerged to become more visible and a growing threat to national security.
That means a superior nation would not emerge. The average person does not have an interest in governance, politics, and nationwide ideals.So yeah, if the youth are into self governance, self discipline and not following some fanatics or fanatic ideology, a superior nation will emerge. — Beena
The average person does not have an interest in governance, politics, and nationwide ideals. — L'éléphant
The average person does not have an interest in governance, politics, and nationwide ideals. — L'éléphant
I'm not saying you are wrong, but how do you know this is true? Does this hinge upon what 'have an interest' means? — Tom Storm
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.