Many people like to be \u2018critical\u2019 or \u2018skeptical\u2019.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a good thing. Or would be\u2026<\/p>\n
\u25ca\u25ca\u25ca<\/p>\n
\u2026if it would really mean what it says. Being \u2018critical \/ skeptical\u2019 (let\u2019s suppose it designates the same thing) means that a person has the energy and desire, one can rightly say \u2018the guts\u2019 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 \u2018some change\u2019 but a breathtaking change when appropriate.<\/p>\n
\u25ca\u25ca\u25ca<\/p>\n
What people call \u2018being critical\u2019, sadly enough, is almost the opposite in many cases. Then it\u2019s about a priori not wanting to accept another viewpoint but one\u2019s own. It\u2019s about defending (lots of defense) one\u2019s own \u2018known pathways\u2019 by beforehand shutting out the consideration of other possibilities.<\/p>\n
\u25ca\u25ca\u25ca<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not being critical. That\u2019s being scared, weak, withdrawing from reality. It\u2019s precisely about not wanting to think, not wanting to be rational, not wanting to be critical, under the disguise of being it. It\u2019s a good disguise. One can easily fool oneself with this disguise for a lifetime.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019m critical. I\u2019m not gullible. I don\u2019t let myself be easily convinced by another viewpoint.\u201d Good!<\/p>\n
\u25ca\u25ca\u25ca<\/p>\n
Saying the same thing, but meaning: \u201cI just do not let myself be convinced by another viewpoint if it doesn\u2019t suit me.\u201d \u2026 Not so good!<\/p>\n
\u25ca\u25ca\u25ca<\/p>\n
I see this quite often.<\/p>\n
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So next time you say that you are \u2018critical\u2019, please make sure you really are not saying the opposite<\/em>. 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\u2019s a tremendous need for people who know the one and only true art of being really critical.<\/p>\n \u25ca\u25ca\u25ca<\/p>\n \n