Critical Thinking, "A Lost Art" and Why It is So Important Today

The "Thinker"

https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/a-brief-history-of-the-idea-of-critical-thinking/408

What do Plato, Socrates and Aristotle have in common and what is critical thinking?   It is a way to think through problems without succumbing to pressure, without overreacting; the ability to think through something rationally, without letting emotions or personal opinions cloud your judgement.

Why do we not hear anything about critical thinking today and why is it so important?    Critical thinking is something that has lost it luster because, politically, its far reaching and positive effects on the individual would not be tolerated by certain groups as it would provide a new level of independence and nourishment for the soul and mind; a growing, sustainable platform for those who wish to start thinking on their own, instead of being misdirected by opportunists and others wishing only to subjugate them to one way of thinking and miring them down in group think.    

Without the individual and his or her ability to think critically and rationally, violence and war will always be the end game to any positive solution; anarchists, bullies, politicians and other malcontents who use deception, lies, violence and intimidation as a means of drowning out the opposition who  stand in their way of furthering their nefarious goals will almost instantly, be recognized for the abhorrent characters they are, systematically outed and pigeonholed.

Is critical thinking something we learn on our own or is it taught?   Critical thinking is something we all are capable of learning but without the help, guidance and expertise of others, is, at first, difficult to grasp.      

Do public schools, colleges and universities believe critical thinking is an important tool and something students need to become aware of, familiar with and know?  Is critical thinking being taught to students today?  

https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/the-state-of-critical-thinking-today/523

Some examples of those who use critical thinking today:   
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas; Thomas Sowell, journalist; John Stossel, Libertarian; Walter Williams, Economist; Charles Krauthamer, Journalist.

Why is critical thinking so important today?

Critical thinking is something that is rare in government today.  It helps us calmly and purposefully sort through a minutiae of facts and assorted information in order to arrive at reasonable and healthy decisions.   Critical thinking is essential for learning how to take a test successfully, speech writing, and making life decisions.  Critical thinking is not part of fake news or group think, but, rather, the very absence and opposite of it.

Fake news uses no critical thinking, no logic, requires no in depth investigation, assimilation and taking the time necessary to sort through relevant data, separating fact from fiction, but rather relies on emotions, fear mongering, gossip, innuendoes and lies. 

https://www.criticalthinking.com/articles/teaching-critical-thinking-skills

A Call to Duty

I've been down since April with coughing, hacking.  I'm really happy to feel better.  So how's it going with you?   What positive things have happened in your life?  Have you taken charge of your life and moved forward?  It's safe to say things are in massive upheaval down here (duh!).   If you haven't put on your big girl panties by now or, for you guys, figured out you've got to shoulder more than you've been, you better get a move on.   The world needs you!  All the craziness happening is prompting deep soul searching leading to profound and positive changes for all of us.  It's a necessary part of the process.  It's going to take a while before things settle down and the new changes are implemented.    In the meantime, all of us are being forced to take a step back and examine our lives, how we conduct business, what we've been taught to believe, the systems that govern us, how we treat others, what we put into our bodies and learning to make amends, to name a few.  A Call to Duty has been put out awakening an indwelling spirit in each one of us, challenging us and facilitating a change in how we look at things.  It's kinda like a switch has turned on.  So where is all of this leading to?  --A better and more healthy planet and a better and more healthy individual.  A final coming together of humanity, instead of the incessant drumbeat of those who only want to divide and conquer.  But first the falling apart comes in order for all the pieces to be sorted, lifted up, examined and put back together.  This time, perfectly.  So, keep moving forward in your life.  You are here to make meaningful change.  It's easy to get emotional and get swept up in the moment, sucked into a narrative or a cause that is not going to help anyone but only fuel the ego of those who want to continue being the problem, not the solution so beware.  

What we're seeing happening today are the old patterns falling away, making way for a new one.   And for the betterment of all, not just the few.