Tag Archives: critical thinking

A Dialogue about the Mind

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Steve

  The Preface: James: I’ve been worrying about my mind, Stanley. Stanley: Oh no. For what reason? James: I don’t think it has the power I once thought it did. Stanley: What do you mean? James: Well, I used to … Continue reading →

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Intellectual Pomposity

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Steve

I’d like to address a certain pet-peeve of mine. Like many of my other pet-peeves, it is a methodological mistake: intellectual pomposity. No, I am not talking about that guy who is convinced he’s right regardless of what other people … Continue reading →

Posted in How to Think Critically, Objective truth | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Which comes first: head or heart?

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Steve

The age-old question strikes again. Which is primary, your head or your heart? Given the emphasis I have placed on logical analysis, especially discovering necessary presuppositions, it should come as no shock that I think the heart should come before … Continue reading →

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Why ideas control your life

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Steve

The whole world revolves around ideas. Every decision you make is because of your ideas. In fact, all human action throughout history – every uttered word, every daily choice, every conscious movement – is directed by the ideas and beliefs … Continue reading →

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Precise Communication: Concrete or Abstract? Even possible?

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Steve

I am a fan of precise communication. Big time. However, I wonder how accurately humans really communicate. You understand these words, right? No problem. Well, let’s examine that a little deeper (it might seem tedious, but hang in there): The … Continue reading →

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Three a week: Contradictions

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Steve

This post is about contradictions, and this post is not about contradictions. Three questions: Question 1: Why do contradictions sound alluring? “They went to a world where 2 became 3, where good became evil, and hot was cold.” Ooooooh! How … Continue reading →

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What is real?

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Steve

Two separate questions: What is real? And, what is “real”? The former is a grand metaphysical question. The latter, a question about the definition of “real”.  Because we should always attempt to define our terms, here is a standard definition … Continue reading →

Posted in How to Think Critically, Metaphysics | Tagged , | 14 Comments

How to understand

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Steve

It is easy to take in information. Just open your eyes and ears. We are bombarded with data and information virtually all day, everyday. You can be filled up and brimming with facts in no time.  I have written about … Continue reading →

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The methodology of trust

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Steve

Our lives revolve around trust. We trust countless things every day to be as we think they are. When you get in a car, you trust that the brakes are not going to fail, the engine is not going to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, How to Think Critically, Objective truth | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Can feelings lead to truth?

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Steve

I have a pet peeve. When people say, “I just feel like this is true.”, I want to slap them. Who cares about your feeling? Whether or not you feel a certain way has no bearing on whether or not … Continue reading →

Posted in How to Think Critically, Objective truth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments