Independent Mind

[HydrogenBond]

The independent mind is a difficult path. It is easier to go along or let someone else think for you and then repeat the party line. For example, if one wanted to be part of a political party, religious group, beaurocracy, etc., one will never go anywhere if one is an independant thinker. Try to join the Democractic party and praise Pres. Bush, join a religion and take the position of an aetheist, or join a beaurcracy and tell everyone that there are more people than necessary to get the job done. If one wants to move up the ladder, you got to become a dependant mind and let others tells you what to think and how to behave. Even test taking is easier if one does what they are told.

 

Some take the position of playing the game and being a dependant mind until they reach a position where they can become an independant mind. But by then, there is so much to lose, that the independant mind, will again be sacrificed out of fear. The fear is being kicked out of the herd to wander the plains alone.

 

Part of the dynamics involves male-female relationships. The independant mind is interesting for dating but the dependant mind is better for marriage, because it takes a secure long term path within the cultural herd.

[coberst]

The independent mind is a difficult path. It is easier to go along or let someone else think for you and then repeat the party line. For example, if one wanted to be part of a political party, religious group, beaurocracy, etc., one will never go anywhere if one is an independant thinker. Try to join the Democractic party and praise Pres. Bush, join a religion and take the position of an aetheist, or join a beaurcracy and tell everyone that there are more people than necessary to get the job done. If one wants to move up the ladder, you got to become a dependant mind and let others tells you what to think and how to behave. Even test taking is easier if one does what they are told.

 

Some take the position of playing the game and being a dependant mind until they reach a position where they can become an independant mind. But by then, there is so much to lose, that the independant mind, will again be sacrificed out of fear. The fear is being kicked out of the herd to wander the plains alone.

 

Part of the dynamics involves male-female relationships. The independant mind is interesting for dating but the dependant mind is better for marriage, because it takes a secure long term path within the cultural herd.

 

I agree with your first two paragraphs but will hold my comments about the third.

[Zythryn]

While critical thinking is difficult/impossible to force feed someone we can arm students with with some of the tools to get there.

 

For example, teach an intro to logic course in Jr. High. Teach them what makes a logical argument and what type of logical errors most modern ads have and or use. Heck homework could even be fun (watch 5 commercials and list the illogical arguments used).

 

Another option would be to teach a number of light science classes. Astronomy might be a good choice for a topic that kids would find fun. Not so much to teach astronomy, but as a vehicle to teach the scientific method. These would be shorter courses as the primary goal is teaching the scientific method and giving some examples using things that interest kids.

 

Offering more CT courses as options, so kids could get more structured CT training.

[coberst]

Zythryn

 

I have been reading "Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life" by Richard Paul and Lynda Elder.

 

This appears to be a book intended as a text book for high school students. It focuses upon the intellectual character traits of a Critical Thinker. Are you familiar with it and if so what is your opinion of teaching this sort of matter to high school students?

[Zythryn]

Unfamiliar with it Coberst. Thanks for the info though, I would be interested in checking it out.

 

Holy cow, might even get involved with the local school district and recommend they add it to their classes. Have to read it and see:)

[coberst]

Unfamiliar with it Coberst. Thanks for the info though, I would be interested in checking it out.

 

Holy cow, might even get involved with the local school district and recommend they add it to their classes. Have to read it and see:)

 

I might add that these two authors have written another book "Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning," which I would judge to be written for teachers or administrators. I consider this to be a very good book.

[HydrogenBond]

I beleive that many college students have an independant mind. College is a time to experiment with everything before committing to anything. But once they begin careers or go into graduate school, they must become more dependant minded. Those who remain independant often become entrepreneurs or walk to the beat of their own drum.

 

The ideas of an independant thinker are fluid. They are not yet solid, as is the case of dependant thinking. Being fluid, one needs to add solids to make a clay. The solids are hard data. While the clay are practical utlility, i.e.. malleable into different shapes. The final shape is then fired in the furnace of affliction and debate, until its becomes solid. At that point the dependant thinkers are willing to accept them.

 

Part of the problem with accepting the fluids ideas of an independant thinker is that some semi-solid ideas, sold as solid, become mush. For example, if one adds too much water to unfired clay. Some solid ideas leak like a seive, and allowing fluids ideas in will make this evident to everyone. But criticism alone does nothing but leave a void, which bothers the dependant mind. One should instead seek to make the fluid solid, so there is a good alternative.

[hallenrm]

Good post HydrogenBond!!:naughty: that's indeed a product of an Independent mind.

 

I think that independent minds cannot be cultivated like foodgrains by any educational system whatsoever!

 

People have certain propensity for it from the time of their birth. The family ans social environment can only help to nip it in the bud. For example, I have often observed that a young curious child often asks many questions for which the parents and teachers have little time and inclination to answer. S/he is often discouraged to ask such questions. The result is s/he learns to tread only the oft trodden path.

 

I am reminded of a poem by Robert Frost on this called The road not taken

 

Two roads diverged in the yellow wood

and I took the one less travelled by,

That has made all the difference:evil: :)