2. If one is egocentric, but then that person starts critically thinking and form an opinion but a beliefs system for her/his self which turns out to be the same initial one about which the individual was egocentric about initially, then would you still call that person an egocentric?
Yes, in this case, that person would either still be egocentric, or that he/she was not egocentric to start off with.
Egocentric or egocentricism in CT is defined as: “a form of rigidity of thought. It views irrational beliefs as rational.” Or: “a tendency to view everything in relationship to oneself, to confuse immediate perception (how things seem) with reality; the tendency to be self-centered, or to consider only oneself and one’s own interests….” Ones desires, values and beliefs (seeming to be self evidently correct or superior to those of others) are often used uncritically as the norm of all judgment and experience. Egocentricity is one of the fundamental impediments to critical thinking.”
A central objective of CT is to identify & overcome, resolve, or minimize egocentric beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, & dispositions (flaws), as well as to adjust/alter/change values accordingly. Just the use of (or getting through the ‘screening’ process of) a CT analysis to think through egocentric beliefs & behaviors, etc. does not mean that one has washed himself of (or satisfied conditions of being a CT) that egocentric belief, orientation, or egocentric state (s). Change is often a centrally implied aspect of CT.
However, if we want to continue to be egocentric despite being informed otherwise through a CT analysis (or ‘screening’ process) ‘could’ mean that one is showing: a) activated ignorance (which means “taking into the mind, and actively using information that is false, though we mistakenly think it to be true”); b) using inert information (which means taking into the mind information that though memorized, we do not understand, despite the fact that we think we do.”); or c) It could also simply mean a consciously decided indifference to CT.
Finally, it could also mean that the critical thinking one has done is not done properly; that is, an appropriate model of CT has not been fully applied to the problem, question, issue, situation, etc.
Note:
a) The opposite of egocentric is fair-minded.
b) The opposite of activated ignorance is activated knowledge.
c) You may also want to find out the definition of socio-centric thinking from the Paul & Edler Book. It will come in the next hourly exam.
Further comments, observations & questions on FAQ 2 are welcome.
Regards,
Faheem
well answered, one has to not be egocentric or erase this trait before they can actually start critically thinking, but if its very strongly ingrained then is it possible to erase it? if yes then how?
ReplyDeleteNageen,
ReplyDeleteIt's no different from changing a bad habit like smoking.
The most important thing in the context of this discussion is the 'realization'/awareness/'felt sense' that a particular belief is damaging, is part of ones flaws, can harm oneself & others, etc. This is really the act of bringing the unconcious into the conscious.
Understand also that in such a process of realization you are not only able to become a better critical thinker, but also a better, more fairminded & or less egocentric person.It begins to impact your disposition, your way of being.
Once the traffic from the unconscious to the conscious starts to flow in this way, you become more available to the moment in time, to the 'here & now'. It 'should' positively affect your ability to concentrate more singlemindedly & enable you to act upon your decisions & actions with greater confidence.
But note also that if you do realize that smoking indeed is bad, but continue to do so, then there will be a triggering of angst, stress, etc. It comes from your inability to respond to things that make perfect cognitive sense, are intellectually compelling.
Unfortunately most people learn the hard way when it comes to dropping bad habits.
Regards,
Faheem
Thank you sir for the clarification but i guess my question was answered in thhe class, and i agree maybe what i m thinking of as critical thinking now may change over time when i start appyling those models
ReplyDeleteI think conforming to a set "model" of critical thinking also contributes to rigidity of thought. Like, I feel that the model basically tells you how to think which negates the concept of thinking "critically". It's like going to an art school and being told how to be creative instead of bringing out the creativity in your work on your own. Just a thought.
ReplyDeletei'm not sure whether "rigidity" of thought would be the best way to describe conforming to a set model of critical thinking. It could be...hmm... restrictive or limiting i guess. but the thing is that whenever we "start" something, we do need a sort of base to start with. We need a beginning. We can't just begin out of thin air!
ReplyDeleteSo I think that the model could be an initial "guide" to us. Once we get the hang of it then intellectually we shouldn't "restrict" our self it either. Rather we should try to go even further.
Point to be noted, by Adeel. We DO need to start from somewhere. And I guess, to a great extent these models give a direction to our thinking. We can't go here and there and expect to come up with the right solutions to our issues. The critical thinking model gives us a push in the right direction, so that we can take the path to the best solution.
ReplyDeleteAdeel has a point, I believe. Umn, Tabinda, I believe that the models give us a direction of thought. We can't just go around here and there randomly and expect to come up with the right conclusion. The models give us a push towards the way we should be thinking in order to get the best answers. And I hope Sir Faheem agrees.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. The model does not rigidly control our thoughts, instead it gives us a checklist to refer to if we are trying to analyze a situation.We do not have to follow all the elements in a particular order, for example. The model just helps us understand the various aspects of a situation and explains to us how to keep all in consideration. It seems a bit complicated and technical in the beginning because it is a new for us and it is being introduced. However, once we use and understand it we realize that the elements are not some technical or complicated processes that we have to adhere to, but instead many things that we have already been completely or partially doing. The model just provides us with their names and definitions and explanations. Many things in the model are just thoughts we all naturally go to.
ReplyDelete