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That's not critical thinking then, it's reactionary thinking. Critical thinking is a tool for challenging our own beliefs and assumptions.
by blurbleblurble 4y ago
That's not critical thinking then, it's reactionary thinking. Critical thinking is a tool for challenging our own beliefs and assumptions.
- kelseyfrog 4y agoI agree. Critical thinking is often paired with developing the methods or tools of critique. Instead of applying the tools of critique to one's own thoughts, these tools get applied selectively to ideas, especially ideas one doesn't agree with already. For example, recognizing bias is a component of critical thinking. Rather than recognizing one's own biases, the reactionary thinker will instead tend to recognize bias in other's assumptions and arguments. They apply different standards to their own thoughts than they do to others'. You're absolutely right that this isn't critical thinking. My hunch is that critical thinking doesn't work if there is isn't an space to be wrong. Even here, there's a tendency to "destroy opponents with facts, logic, and rationalism." I've participated in this myself. Frankly, it entrenches reaction instead of arriving at truth. The subject finds it easier to retreat into the realm of the imaginary than to repeatedly confront a rupture in the symbolic order.