14. Being critical is a good thing
Many people like to be ‘critical’ or ‘skeptical’.
That’s a good thing. Or would be…
◊◊◊
…if it would really mean what it says. Being ‘critical / skeptical’ (let’s suppose it designates the same thing) means that a person has the energy and desire, one can rightly say ‘the guts’ to look at something from different points of view, to remain as rational as possible while doing so, and to accept the conclusion that comes out as most evident at least until a more rational way to a more rational conclusion comes up. Being critical is about always being open to change, not only ‘some change’ but a breathtaking change when appropriate.
◊◊◊
What people call ‘being critical’, sadly enough, is almost the opposite in many cases. Then it’s about a priori not wanting to accept another viewpoint but one’s own. It’s about defending (lots of defense) one’s own ‘known pathways’ by beforehand shutting out the consideration of other possibilities.
◊◊◊
That’s not being critical. That’s being scared, weak, withdrawing from reality. It’s precisely about not wanting to think, not wanting to be rational, not wanting to be critical, under the disguise of being it. It’s a good disguise. One can easily fool oneself with this disguise for a lifetime.
◊◊◊
“I’m critical. I’m not gullible. I don’t let myself be easily convinced by another viewpoint.” Good!
◊◊◊
Saying the same thing, but meaning: “I just do not let myself be convinced by another viewpoint if it doesn’t suit me.” … Not so good!
◊◊◊
I see this quite often.
◊◊◊
So next time you say that you are ‘critical’, please make sure you really are not saying the opposite. This world is a world of change. Especially through a hyperbolic curve in technical possibilities, we have no idea of the magnitude of change that lies waiting for us in the future. More than ever before, there’s a tremendous need for people who know the one and only true art of being really critical.
◊◊◊
Related Posts
52. Is getting sunburned a genetic disease?
I bet you haven’t yet thought of sunburn as a genetic disease or condition. At the same time, it’s probably obvious to you that a skin type that is more prone to sunburn has everything to do with genetics. The daughter of a red-haired, fair-skinned person has a genetically determined higher chance to be red-haired, Read the full article…
82. ‘It’ will never work
People in search of ‘it’ or ‘he who does it’ to work for them: the picture exists already for thousands of years, maybe even very much longer. It’s about a shamanistic quality, the shaman being the one who mediates between people and the gods, his clientèle being people in search of ‘it’ to work for Read the full article…
27. Medicine of war. Medicine of peace.
Present-day Western medicine is based on the philosophy of war. Diseases are the enemy that has to be attacked as effectively as possible. The weapons to do so are medication, surgical procedures, etc. Behavioral therapy in its pure form is the psychological ally in this continuous battle. The goal is to get rid of the Read the full article…