when we follow something/someone do we stop thinking for ourselves?

Question

I am asking if following anything, a person who says he knows, a book, an idea, is really an intelligent act?

THINKING FOR OURSELVES NOT THINKING ABOUT OURSELVES, SUBTLE DIFFERENCE.

LORD Z so the past dictates the present? With all its mistakes!

Answer 1

Human beings never truly stop thinking for themselves even when they are apparently following the precepts of others, they have decided upon a course of thought or action because it gives them something that they want this in itself is a positive act of self determination. The act of choosing to follow another whether physically or emotionally or indeed intellectually requires analysis and active control of ones own actions.
Whether this is a more or less worthy act than when one determines to follow an apparently self originated idea is a subjective judgement.
Whether this is an intelligent or unintelligent act is dependent on the quality of the idea being followed, the positive results perceived by the person following it and the complexity of thought and action required to follow the desired goal.
The question also raises a further question about the true originality of human ideas and behaviours. Thanks for the question, it was a buzz, a cup of quality coffee for the mind.

Answer 2

Perhaps it's not such an intelligent act, but somehow we can't know everything... We can try to think things through for ourselves, but on a certain point, we base our decisions we make on the knowledge we get from other people (in person, books, ideas, ...)

Some people don't think at all, and follow the heard - what is very NOT intelligent. Others think too much and end up following too (however in a less direct way).

Which brings me to the following: what is an intelligent act? Don't we have to make mistakes sometimes before we really know what we want or don't want to do? That's called life experience. In the end we will learn our lesson and choose if we want to follow or want to think...
I chose the less obvious way: I want to think, therefor I want to be...

Answer 3

If you follow a person or idea that discourages asking questions, then you've stopped thinking for yourself. Otherwise, you are still thinking for yourself to some degree.

One practical reason to trust someone else's thinking: we don't have time to re-think everything for ourselves; society has worked-out the answers to some questions already, and it works to follow these pre-made solutions. If we literally questioned everything, we'd spend all our time thinking.

Furthermore, people who think for themselves sometimes get labeled as weirdos because they are non-conformists. It isn't easy to be different, but that sometimes happens when you question society.

Thinking for yourself is a lot of work; our brain consumes twice as many calories, pound for pound, compared to other body organs; you could view that as an evolutionary incentive not to think unnecessarily.

Of course, in the modern age, this disincentive no longer applies, but human nature hasn't changed that much since food became plentiful. But I guess that's one reason why people often find it easier to trust someone else to do their thinking for them.

Getting back to your question, there is a range of responses to your answer. Some people completely stop thinking for themselves, while others only follow someone in a few aspects. Skillful manipulators, like Charlie Manson, Jim Jones or Adolph Hitler can make it more likely that people will stop thinking for themselves. These manipulators convince people that asking questions is an act of betrayal.

Answer 4

Depends on the person. You decide whether to stop thinking for yourself, no one forces that on you. I have beliefs which I follow and hold very precious, but I also think while following. Having been raised in a belief system which was mind-bogglingly bizarre, I have learned the dangers of being afraid to think analytically. If your beliefs or the people who uphold them won't stand up to intelligent analysis, then change.

Answer 5

Yes it is an intelligent act.To form a cohesive society I think it necessary to follow some sort of ideology.

Answer 6

If that was true, then there wouldn't be ANYONE thinking for themselves. Even the greatest leaders the world ever knew once had to FOLLOW something or someone in order to gain an understanding of how to lead.

Answer 7

Jesus said that in order to follow Him, we must first deny ourselves.

I'm not sure if we actually stop thinking for ourselves, but I do believe that when we follow, our decisions are influenced by that/him which/whom we follow.

Jesus also said that he who puts his hands on the plow, but looks back, is not fit for the Kingdom. So in the case of your question, I believe that we must focus our attention on whatever or whoever we re following, and base our decisions on what we believe would please that which or whom we are following. Otherwise, aren't we looking back?

And in the case of following Jesus, we're influenced by the Holy Spirit within us. So yeah, we're thinking for ourselves, but intending to please the Lord with our decisions.

Answer 8

i don know the right meaning of ur question but am sure that when i follow anything i forget myself n i dont think of the effects later lol i just do

Answer 9

Man when u follow something\someone the only thing that u would think of is urself ...if not urself then u r not foloowing anybody ..it would be just a thought

Answer 10

Yes, because we DECIDE to follow. We also can make an "intelligent" decision to not follow.
We can change our minds, also.