Having begun with a definition of critical thinking to focus our attention and to which we can return periodically to remind ourselves of our goal, we stopped to reflect on the ethical perspective out of which we respectively work. The definition is simply a statement; the ethical principles are personal choices and a recognition of the values that guide our living. Now the work starts getting harder and will separate serious seekers from conventional thinkers.
Scholars Linda Elder and Richard Paul have provided eight essential intellectual traits to challenge our efforts. Each could take volumes to discuss, but I will only list them briefly.
1. Intellectual Humility: being conscious of one's knowledge and native egocentrism
2. Intellectual Courage: the need to face beliefs for which we have strong, negative emotions
3. Intellectual Empathy: the need to imaginatively put oneself in the place of others to understand them
4. Intellectual Autonomy: learning to think for oneself and control one's thought process
5. Intellectual Integrity: being true to one's own thinking and being consistent with one's standards
6. Intellectual Perseverance: use insights and truths despite difficulties and irrational opposition
7. Confidence in Reason: human interests are best served by reason and enabling others to think rationally
8.Fairmindedness: treat all viewpoints alike without reference to one's own advantage
The next step is to confront, as honestly as possible, our personal obstacles to critical thinking. The first named obstacle is bias. Bias is the preference for or inclination against something based on your opinions and not evidence. We all have viewpoints; that's normal. The problem comes when there is no good reason and we are oblivious to the consequences. The trap is confirmation bias. Prejudice, a preconceived opinion against someone or something, is a similar obstacle that, unchecked, takes us down the road to destructive discrimination and persecution.
Enculturation is the process of learning the habits of a culture. When that view becomes too narrow and becomes a sense of superiority, the third obstacle of ethnocentrism raises its ugly head. A generalization, the fourth obstacle, a broad statement about a group, can be helpful when true, but when distorted or blatantly false, destroys relationships and prevents communication. The last obstacle to personal critical thinking addressed is stereotyping. A stereotype makes a judgment about a person or group that may not be true. When that judgment is not true, it limits our understanding of each other.
Ignorance uncorrected becomes fear, which not relieved becomes prejudice. This becomes discrimination, and unchecked, results in persecution. This pattern is too familiar!
The intellectual honesty required to face our personal obstacles can be painful, but the results of enhanced integrity is well worth the effort for ourselves and others.
