Let’s Think About It

Let’s Think About It

Introduction

Prof Jim

There are few of us left. Those of us who not only have the ability to think critically but actually do so are getting lonely. Perhaps you would like to join us. There are few of us left.

The rest of you came by your lack honestly. You are not to be faulted. Seldom have you been forced to think. Seldom have you even had a need to think. Given that most of you are graduates of the public fool system, you were not allowed to think and most certainly not taught to think.

Back when I went to school some thinking was both allowed and encouraged. It was not formally taught but at least it was not outlawed. An example:

In ninth grade English I had a first year out of college teacher, Mr. S. It came time to write a theme. What is the first question that is immediately asked upon assignment of this task? Those readers who answered, “How long does it have to be?” guessed right. Mr. S gave the only sensible answer I have ever heard to that question. What’s more, his answer forced us to think.

He answered, “Make it like a pretty girl’s skirt, long enough to cover everything and short enough to keep it interesting.”

Today, of course, there would be two difficulties with that answer: 1. Mr. S would be arrested and fired on the spot. 2. The students would ask, “What’s a skirt?”

So, what is critical thinking?

First it is the ability to analyze a situation and discover if a problem even exists. In many cases we will discover that what seems like a problem is not a problem at all. If it is not a problem we must analyze the situation to discover what is real about it and what is not real. We will talk more about reality later.

Second it is the ability to analyse a problem and obtain a solution to that problem. Notice that I did not say “implement” the solution. Implementation is another area but the solution must be implementable. The end result of your thinking process should clearly show you if what you have been told about problem and/or the solution to the problem is true or total bull. Total bull? Yes! While there may be, and likely is, some reality in the situation, ANY bull makes it all bull.

Indeed, we must first discover if there really is a problem. That discovery will be your first “analysis”.

A problem is not precisely defined until it can be presented as a conflict between two necessary conditions. I suggest you commit the previous sentence to memory.

This suggest that rather than looking at the problem itself it would be best to ask what are the two conflicting necessary conditions that bring about the supposed problem. If you do not have two conflicting necessary conditions, you do not have a problem. Done! But if you do have two conflicting necessary condition there are questions that need answers: Are the conditions really conflicting or just appear to be? How do they conflict with each other? What assumptions are in play that make them “seem” to conflict? How do they affect the problem? Are they really necessary?

Many of the things that are drilled into you under the guise of a problem are not problems at all. We will think about these non-problems and attempt to discover what they really are. Beliefs, perhaps? Perhaps we will discover that in many cases “beliefs” is a synonym for BULL.

As time goes on we will explore “problems” in the areas of law, government, finance, freedom and just general, peaceful, happy living. Rest assured these explorations will not be “politically correct”. They cannot be so because thinking is no longer considered politically correct. Look at the politicians, they are almost always politically correct and they obviously never think.

For now though, here are a few questions to ask regarding what you have been told about problems and/or what you believe:

1.      Who is telling you this? Where did they gain this knowledge?

2.      Why are they imparting this knowledge to you? Follow the money and/or the fear.

3.      Does this piece of knowledge hold true in all cases? This is a major test. If it does not hold true in all cases it is likely bull.

4.      Is there a penalty for not believing and/or acting on this knowledge? Believing and acting can be considered work. By the presence of a penalty you are being forced to work. Forced work without pay is the very definition of slavery. (We will explore you make me _____.)

5.      Is the problem under discussion a root problem or a symptom? If a symptom, go find the root. You are spinning your wheels with a symptom!

6.      What are the definitions of the words used to state the problem? It could be that the statement of the problem is using a different definition of some words than you are using.

7.      Is the problem a real problem or just a Broadway play designed to manipulate you? We must get to the bottom of this one. Who wrote and produced the play? Did you buy a ticket?

8.      Is the problem stated the same by both sides of the conflict?

9.      Do you have direct input to the statement of the problem and the solution to the problem? If not, it is likely not your problem. Just because someone says you have a problem does not make it true. (They, of course, may wish to pay you for the solution.) They may have a problem by the act of stating you have a problem.

10.   Does the one stating the problem entertain alternate statements and/or solutions to the problem? Most importantly, does he entertain your solution? If not it screams Broadway play and/or just plain bull. Is someone assigning a problem to you and refusing to let you solve it?

11.   Always ask the one stating the problem, “How may I solve this problem?” “Do I have the authority so solve this problem?” “Do I have the authority to implement the solution to this problem?” “Is that authority exclusive to me?” “If not, who else holds that authority?” “How did I get this authority?” “If I have this authority, do others have to follow my solution?” “Do you have to follow my solution?” “What is the penalty to you if you do not follow my solution?” “Do you really want this problem solved?”

As these articles progress we may not directly use all the above questions, but they will all be applicable none the less. We will also look at a graphical method to sort fact from fiction.

Needless to say the answers to these questions will inform you not only about the true definition of the problem, if it even is a problem, but also about the direction and responsibility those solving the problem must take. Much of what is passed off as a problem is really only a belief (bull) which you have been coned into believing.

While I have several subjects in mind that I will attend to first, I will not limit these articles to only my concerns. Please comment on subjects you consider significant. I prefer not to look at individual situations as much as basic concepts. If we knock out basic concepts, all of you will be able to apply thinking processes to individual situations.

And for those who are wondering, yes, I am setting on the deck roasting coffee as I write this.

The first belief we will “think about” is, “What country you live in?”