Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking in many ways forms the backbone of Science because it uses logic and reason to come to conclusions devoid of emotional influences. Personally I have a hard time seeing how people can see this as a problem because quite simply “it works”, yet I’m often dismayed by a substantial portion of the public specifically because they do not embrace Critical Thinking. Perhaps this is because it (and Science for that matter) gets only cursory exposure in our basic education system, but I suspect the main culprit is parents and the way they raise their children. Political and Religious ideologues completely ignore Critical Thinking, instead valuing what I like to call “Emotional Thinking.” No doubt there’s a time and a place for emotions, but when it comes to understanding reality or seeking truth, emotions can be horribly unreliable.
The author of a previous video on Open Mindedness has posted a new video about Critical Thinking that’s an excellent primer on the concept and shows why it’s not only effective but something we should all strive to do.