4. Was all the initial human race critical thinkers? (as they would have no or at least very less assumptions, prejudices, stereotypes etc. probably)
First, please see answer to FAQ 3 which is somewhat similar in nature.
I think there are two interesting parts to this question.
The first interesting part is the implied reference to mankind/society having moved from a simple to a complex & onwards to an even more complex (& so on) existence. The gradient & trajectory of the nature & quantum of complexity seems to be getting more & more difficult & challenging. But so is, has & does our capacities to unfold such complexity because we are ostensibly becoming better & better critical thinkers. Either that or we have stronger abilities, more effective tools, etc to be critical thinkers. We know more about the human brain & mind in the context of its uses & interactions than we ever did ‘before’. There is greater use of the human faculties, it seems.
The second interesting part is about an important aspect of the nature of CT. Indeed CT is relative. Your individual biases, prejudices & stereotypical orientation are not necessarily more or less of an issue in the realm of critical thinking than is my list of the same issues. We both need to or should address these in the context of common criteria of what constitutes CT, or of a critically thought-through thinking process, while paying heed to its ensuing outcomes, decision, inferences, & implications. Of course we may have standards and benchmarks that transcend those indicated in the CT model; that’s quite possible, but very difficult to achieve.
The CT model is essentially the benchmark standard/criteria for both of us even though both of us may be at different stages or levels of thinking sophistication. To understand this better, have a look at the Paul and Elder text book, their chapter on “Stages of Development”. In it they differentiate between a) unreflective thinker, b) challenged thinker, c) beginner thinker, d) practicing thinker, e) advanced thinker, and f) master thinker. The purpose of their chapter is different – it’s to help you understand what level of thinking you are at – but throws some light on this discussion.
At another level your question could be framed differently. Did older, simpler societies even need to be critical thinkers? Did critical thinking itself lead to complexity in our worlds? Is collective egocentricity greater than some individuals’ egocentricity? Are certain group’s egocentric orientations greater, more obsessive (pathological) than that of others? Is Islam or religion in general more egocentric than other institutions on which we tend to rely or use for our purposes and needs? Are ‘less developed’ societies more socio and ego centric than more advanced ones?
Please feel free to comment, offer obervations & ask further questions on the answer to this FAQ.
Regards,
Faheem
"Did older, simpler societies even need to be critical thinkers?"
ReplyDelete1. I do think that in all historical societies, there were a select group of people who used their advanced mental capacities to make sense of their surroundings and nudge forth progress, now you can call that critical thinking or progressive thinking, but the fact of the matter is, that they existed. They may have come into prominence as 'philosophers' but we can trace their existence through old foke tales as simple 'wisemen' or 'story tellers'. They would use their accumulative knowledge and use it in different ways. Since Critical thinking is now such an accepted and popular view of the world and the mind, we have categorized its uses to solve 'real' problems only. But one can be a critical thinker as well as simple in their thinking. And by my use of the word 'simple' here i don't mean stupid or plain. I just mean that they prefer not to use their skills in the wider aspect of life.
In that case, we may have known Critical Thinkers as other things, other people, leaders, traders, writers, prophets, story tellers, adventurers etc.
What I feel is, that with CT its not essential where you 'use' it, but that it is absolutely necessary not to 'abuse' it.
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ReplyDeleteI think everyone is a critical thinker no matter what time or age they were born. Time and age are of no regard. Also its important to think of people who think in multi dimensions as critical thinkers. Anyone who thinks in a mono dimensional way in my opinin cannot be classified as a critical thinker because they negate other dimensions which can be equally important or helpful in thinking critically or might contrbute towards getting better conclusions nad assumptions.
ReplyDelete@mahin. But people usually deviate from the milieu. The elements of critical thinking are usually not considered when thinking critically :-p
ReplyDeleteThinking is innate while critical thinking is just focusing on the subject to conclude with a reflective answer.
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