General Discussion

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

16. The inability of so many people to use any kind of critical thinking

Mon Nov 26, 2012, 02:44 PM

Nov 2012

often discourages me. I'm constantly asking things like, "Who said?" or "Where did you read or hear that?".

Too many people think that if they see it on the internet it must be true. Or that what's shown in movies must be accurate. It's why, even here on DU, people will post something that they may think isn't quite accurate, but have managed never to have heard of Snopes or any other b.s. debunking site.

And then of course, things like being able to do basic math, or spot logical fallacies, are sadly lacking.

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I read this last night and it sent shivers down my spine – prophetic! [View all] yogini Nov 2012 OP

I read that book - one of the best books I've ever read. alberg Nov 2012 #1

That book changed my life when I exited from a fundamentalist cult Schema Thing Nov 2012 #2

Very very wise and prophetic words. I feel each day we are drifting there ... I'm amazed RKP5637 Nov 2012 #3

It takes courage... yogini Nov 2012 #11

Welcome to DU! Quantess Nov 2012 #4

Dr. Sagan was one of the wisest people I knew. RoccoR5955 Nov 2012 #5

the decline in logical/scientific thinking isn't the reason for the change in the economy renate Nov 2012 #6

well said marions ghost Nov 2012 #7

and they only want xxqqqzme Nov 2012 #28

A nation full of critical thinkers would not have elected Reagan BuelahWitch Nov 2012 #8

Greed trumps critical thinking. marions ghost Nov 2012 #36

+1 uponit7771 Nov 2012 #10

My husband is doing biomedical research redstatebluegirl Nov 2012 #18

Sorry but I disagree. truedelphi Nov 2012 #25

I agree with every word you say, CrispyQ Nov 2012 #39

Somewhere inside a palatial ballroom, perhaps truedelphi Nov 2012 #50

did the exact same thing to me and is still happening, but I hope he is wrong, I need my hope RepublicansRZombies Nov 2012 #9

Make it so, Number one! LongTomH Nov 2012 #13

This is only tangentially related, but LiberalAndProud Nov 2012 #12

The attack on public schools has been an attack on scientific literacy and reasoning. freshwest Nov 2012 #17

I don't entirely disagree. LiberalAndProud Nov 2012 #20

That's your and my fortunate situation. Children in areas that turned education over to corporate or freshwest Nov 2012 #29

Your post inspired much thought. LiberalAndProud Nov 2012 #37

The problem of home schooling, despite access to the public library in communities or the internet, freshwest Nov 2012 #38

Sagan's quote is so very true for many in our world...and that is sad. sheshe2 Nov 2012 #43

Yes, they are the future. We are in good hands, with them. With these others, I don't know, Sheshe. freshwest Nov 2012 #44

Hitler's youth going blindly into battle... sheshe2 Nov 2012 #46

And we are there now, very little enlightenment left. freshwest Nov 2012 #14

It takes courage... yogini Nov 2012 #15

The Main Problems is: Ligyron Nov 2012 #33

That's why we need to remain "mindful" yogini Nov 2012 #42

The inability of so many people to use any kind of critical thinking SheilaT Nov 2012 #16

Democrats use sentiment; Republicans use principles; neither use quantitative analysis of the facts. FarCenter Nov 2012 #19

Holy Billions and Billions Batman ... meegbear Nov 2012 #21

Carl Sagan was well aware of NAFTA and most likely the ALEC pipe dream.... midnight Nov 2012 #22

prescience heaven05 Nov 2012 #23

I'd be more impressed if he'd written this in the 60's. SpankMe Nov 2012 #24

I agree with you on that. Manufacturing was well into its decline before this was written in 1995. Texin Nov 2012 #27

I dropped everything and have been bora13 Nov 2012 #26

That's why this kind of sharing works! yogini Nov 2012 #31

NAILED it: "... unable to distinguish between what feels good and what's true ... " patrice Nov 2012 #30

knr spanone Nov 2012 #32

This man was so far beyond his time. Wish he was still with us. Paper Roses Nov 2012 #34

Wow, how prescient! n/t arthritisR_US Nov 2012 #35

We were in trouble back when he said that Hydra Nov 2012 #40

A superb book from a first-rate mind. hifiguy Nov 2012 #41

I've bought that book four times bhikkhu Nov 2012 #45

Same here Yavapai Nov 2012 #48

I grew up agent46 Nov 2012 #47

Holy shit! blackspade Nov 2012 #49