One common misunderstanding when it comes to critical thinking is the assumption that human emotions and instincts are inherently faulty or unreliable – and that thinking critically thus means trying to overcome them. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with following your instincts in most everyday situations. Indeed, attempting constantly to distrust your own feelings andContinue reading “When should, and shouldn’t, you think twice?”
Category Archives: Communications
Ever wondered… why do people like to vent online?
When going to online review sites, you often notice some reviews raging wildly about how bad the product is, the service, just about anything… Have you ever wondered why do people love to vent online? Electronic “venting” behaviour is well known, and so are the concerns and potential consequences. Yet, while there is much discussionContinue reading “Ever wondered… why do people like to vent online?”
The vital art of questioning your assumptions
Assumptions are those things we take for granted: whatever we don’t explicitly spell out, but that our thinking relies upon. They’re also extremely important. Indeed, it’s the existence of shared assumptions that makes communication (and much else) possible. As I write these words, I’m assuming they mean approximately the same thing to you as theyContinue reading “The vital art of questioning your assumptions”
Why Clarity Matters
Here’s one of my favourite lines from the philosopher John Searle: “Where questions of style and exposition are concerned I try to follow a simple maxim: if you can’t say it clearly you don’t understand it yourself.” It comes from the introduction to his 1983 book Intentionality, and embodies something I’ve come to think ofContinue reading “Why Clarity Matters”