Critical thinking.(Letter to the editor)

Publication: Skeptical Inquirer

Publication Date: 01-JUL-06

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2006 Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal

Congratulations and thanks to Howard Gabennesch for a great piece on critical thinking ("Critical Thinking: What Is It Good For? In Fact, What Is It?" March/April 2006). One issue, however, must be made more explicit. In distinguishing between skills, worldview, and values as the pillars of critical thinking, we must acknowledge that the last two usually rest more on emotional than intellectual foundations. This is at the root of our endless capacity to continue deceiving ourselves, even when confronted with facts that run contrary to our beliefs.

Against this unfortunate aspect of human nature, the skeptical movement typically offers an ineffectual remedy: more, better, and different truths and facts for appreciation by the intellect, the very function that proves...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.