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by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.
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Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

Critical Thinking: More Tips for Getting Better At It

Wednesday February 14, 2001

In addition to the good decision-making skills discussed in recent days, more basic qualities associated with a self-directed, wellness lifestyle contribute to a propensity for rationality and a reliance on reason, science, and evidence in making judgments. The following are among those qualities, in my opinion:

A sense of wonder coupled with a recognition that our understanding of nature is incomplete and likely to remain so.
An evolutionary outlook along with an appreciation for the fact that science, while not perfect or complete, is the best instrument of knowledge that we have.
A polite but skeptical mindset.
An appreciation of the link between a populace attuned to and respectful of critical thinking and our prospects for preserving democratic forms of government.
Baloney detectors in good working order that safeguard against fraud, deception, and hooey in food products, medicine, spirituality, and all else.
A respect for the nature and methods of science.
An understanding of evolution, such as elementary earth science regarding the world we live in (like that the earth is a lot more than the biblical 6,000 years and definitely not flat and what's more we are not the center of things and that we're related to apes and relatively late arrivals on the scene and that the cosmos is unimaginably vast and apparently not here for the express benefit of our species, for starters).
A willingness to respect such practices as meticulous and systematic observation.
Knowledge and practice of standards of argument (like recognizing what passes for evidence versus hearsay, testimonials, and the ability to recognize the most common forms of chicanery).
An acceptance of the fact that the burden of proof rests with those who advance claims.

Fortunately, we live in a society that, at least officially, favors reason, science, and other forms of independent thinking.

Tomorrow I'll conclude this series with a listing of qualities of personality, orientation, perspective, or consciousness that I believe should be avoided by self-managers.

Have a splendid day, and look after yourself. Comments welcomed, as you know. Be well.

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