What is the value of being 'logical' and a 'critical thinker' except if you're a professor

Question

...or researcher?

Won't this sort of person who continually refines their thoughts based on logic and critical thinking is inevitably going to be endlessly disappointed by the sloppy thinking of others?

If the majority of population couldn't care less about logic and critically refined thinking, why do it at all except only to write a dissertation, book, do research or teach as a lecturer/professor?

The whole point of my questions follows from the idealization anyone can have about logic and critical thinking especially as a hallmark of an intelligent and admirable mind. My devil's advocate position is that these people will be isolated by society who wants to feel good, have a irrational laugh, conversation that turns crude, etc.

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Yours is a wonderful essay on the merits of sloppy thinking.

"However, it fails to validate the need for exactitude, the fallacies of emotional arguments and hasty generalizations, the pitfalls of following the crowd..."


I think we all know these merits, OF COURSE! :) Of course, of course, you are all correct!!!

Any more replies?

Answer 1

Wow. Just wow.

I'm a critical/logical thinker, and I'm delighted that other people are too, just as I am disappointed that others aren't.

As for having a laugh and being crude, I do that all the time, it makes sense to blow off steam and be self-effacing, y'see ;-)


Maybe you refer to the pathological reductionists?

Answer 2

Yours is a wonderful essay on the merits of sloppy thinking.

However, it fails to validate the need for exactitude, the fallacies of emotional arguments and hasty generalizations, the pitfalls of following the crowd.

Yes, it could be terribly disappointing. However your assumption of endless disappointment is exaggerated. When a critical thinking meets another, or like or different opinion, the critical thinker finds satisfaction that he/she is not alone nor is the endeavor without merit.

Taken to an extreme, a narrowly focused critical thinker would be not much more than Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, a truly critical thinker will find the necessity of the human condition to enjoy an amusing yet illogical anecdote, to engage in trivial behavior, to frolic among the daises, because in doing so parts of the brain necessary to critical thinking are stimulated and sharpened.

Answer 3

ROFLOL. Right, because in the real world the only time logic and critical thinking is used is in a social context. There's NEVER EVER any critical thinking used in science, business, or when researching a product to buy. Let's just believe the USED CAR SALESMAN because critical thinking would be pointless there. Let's just believe everything a politician says... etc; et-freaking-cetera....

Answer 4

Critical thinking helps you make decisions in everyday life, and it helps you make decisions on the job. Critical thinking also helps you sort out fact from fiction; i.e., a person with good critical thinking skills is far less likely to fall prey to a religious cult than is someone who is ignorant and uneducated. Put more simply, in matters of religion and almost everything else in life, people without critical thinking abilities tend to fall for anything.

Critical thinking skills also force one to challenge their beliefs and prejudices to ascertain their validity, which in my life has only deepened my faith in God.

So I think you're way off base.

Answer 5

That kind of thinking only causes borders and fences to be put up around your mental strength. There is a whole world outside those borders, so why limit yourself?

It also causes you to make bold, absolute statements that make you look foolish. I can't understand the value of limiting your mental capacities.

Answer 6

I think it's the same as any other moral imperative: you do it because it's right. Oh, and as the young lady above noted, it also introduces you to a spectacularly intricate and interesting world that we live in.

I do think you're raising an interesting issue, though.

Answer 7

There must be balance. These logistical thinkers feel it's their purpose in life to spout the logical order of consequence, so that they are not ever the subject to be scapegoated. They can logically tell you exactly why they are not responsible for someone else's failure.

They also like to say "I told you so!"

Answer 8

Very valued because you learn to make valid questions with valid answers.

Answer 9

If you really believe that, you are going to miss out on some amazing things in this world.

Answer 10

sumtimes this logic works but usually u wil b put to threat of deciding wat is right