"Critical thinking scares you because you were taught to be positive" - Discuss

[TrogL]

From http://coloringout.blogspot.ca/2013/01/adopter-savior-syndrome.html?m=1 a sarcastic post about adoptions.

I was raised in an authoritarian household where we were taught to "think good things". If something bad happened it was immediately either criticized to death or ignored depending on circumstances (which I never understood).

Attempting to have a coherent discussion was like blundering through a maze blindfolded - you never knew when you were going to run into a blind spot, cliche or logical fallacy.

I'm a musician. I'd be dragged to some recital, then asked for my opinion, which I'd give. I'd then get criticized because it wasn't "nice". I'm sorry, if the old bird is a tone flat with a wobble the size of Manhatten, I'm gonna say something.

[Warpy]

1. I always ask if they want the ugly truth or an attractive lie.

Then I act accordingly and at their request.

I'm known for my bluntness, but I always issue a warning anyway.

[Scuba]

2. To thine own self be true.

[el_bryanto]

3. I think this is one of those issues where there's not a clear right or wrong answer

Sometimes it's good to bear with our friends and other people we encounter even if we think they are being overly self-congratulatory or failing in some way. Sometimes helping them build confidence can help them get better.

At other times it's best to be honest and blunt rather than let them go on screwing themselves over.

Part of this also relates to how you see people around - if you think most people are assholes and fuckups you'll act differently than if you believe that most people are decent people trying their best.

Bryant

[Lex]

4. Thinking critically doesn't mean you can't be positive. nt

[NuclearDem]

5. It's difficult for people to face their faults or mistakes

That statement could very well be complemented by "ignorance is bliss." If someone doesn't have to deal with the negative idea there may be something wrong with them or something they're doing, they can be blindly happy.

Critical thinking gets a bad rap for being negative because it forces people or groups to deal with the things they'd rather not talk about.