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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 (Encore)

Monday February 11, 2002

Ever wonder how things might have been different 100 or even 1000 years ago if there had been widespread public understanding of self-management or wellness principles? Probably not, but I have. It's the kind of thing you think about if you spend your days encouraging people to pursue healthy lifestyles.

So, what do you think? Think there would there have been fewer instances of pillaging and plundering, kinder and gentler Crusades, and other reductions in the horrors that marred much of civilization during the past century or millennia?

Specifically, what if there had been a feature like Don's Reports on the Internet during all this time -- would that have put a dent in human depravity? Probably not -- besides, even if I were around and willing to do a daily essay for SeekWellness.com, how many households were on line to notice a thousand years ago? Probably not that many, for former Vice-President Gore had not yet, "practically invented the Internet." He was not around and there were no computers, or even electricity. Which reminds me of Milton Berle's line, "We should be grateful to Thomas Edison, without whom we would be sitting around watching television by candlelight."

There are many elements of self-management that would have made a difference, in my opinion, had such a mindset been a part of the thinking and value systems of the far fewer people who lived in earlier times. But one, in my view, would have had more constructive impact than the others. I refer, as you might anticipate, to critical thinking. Had humanity or a good slice of it hosted a deeper appreciation for critical thinking a thousand years ago, some of the nastiness noted above might not have occurred. Of course, I'm an optimist.

Critical thinking refers to the way in which data, assertions, and information is processed, not knowledge possessed. I am assuming that almost all persons living today, given the higher standards of education enjoyed by most people living than was the case in the past, are better at decision-making than those who preceded us. We know so much more than they did. For example, at the present time, most of us understand who orbits around whom. What's more, most people have a better idea about the approximate age of the Earth and know a lot more about astronomy, biology, geology, history, psychology, philosophy, and other arts and sciences than was understood by the best minds of the millennia that went before our own. Does this knowledge not suggest we are also better at thinking itself?

The foundation skill for consumer empowerment, the theme and purpose of this website, is effective decision-making. That is one reason this issue is so important to a wellness lifestyle. What do you think about my assertion that we are better thinkers today than were most folks in much earlier times?

I'll write more on this theme in the days to come. Please stay well and be more skeptical than gullible. And, if so inclined, let me know what YOU think of all this.

Take care. All the best.

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