Some of the most virtuous and pious aspects of Love are oft demonstrated in the forms of compassionandempathy... one’s ability to feel the pain of others, to see life from the perspective of another. - C. D.
Please enlarge the video to enjoy this powerful little story....
The ability to critically process information opens one to the possibility of Better Understanding. Doesn't mean that one will necessarily choose to examine all sides, no -- unfortunately ego and personality can still poison that. But if one at least embraces a motive to employ the best reasoning, that person is not trapped by their own prejudices forever. Through their own internal process and a desire for Truth ... they can still reach a conclusion which is completely free of their need for a particular outcome of perspective.
But ...what if they choose not to? What if they've determined that they already have enough facts, so they close the door to any future consideration (or even genuine discussion!) of ideas which they don't already carry?
If the truth were an archery target, how likely is it that... --- a person who will not allow for any adjustments is hitting the center?
As the video implies, the person who is throwing out ideas is not necessarily wrong -- it's just that, by not asking questions, they're more likely to be wrong. By not exploring and attempting to better assess the truth of a thing, one is simply unable to do more than hurl clumsy concepts at it, in hopes that something sticks.
But that isn't love. It isn't righteous. It cannot be justice and it's truly a deficient approach for anyone who claims to seek Truth as a way of life!In fact, it's treacherous to the truth, because it is infused with human frailties, not any act of divine instruction or tenant of patience. Questions and Consideration simply aren't a threat to the Truth.
In fact, by asking questions and even after considering all possibilities... one could still arrive at the exact same initial conclusion one held before. There's nothing which says that having MORE data will affect your findings one way or another, only that it will help to correlate your conclusion with Reality.
And that reality should be nothing less than: The Actuality which exists independent of your will to perceive it.
This is the state we refer to as Having an Open Mind. It has nothing to do with any specific regard, only the manner in which one approaches a conclusion which is as valid as possible. A good, valid conclusion is far more likely to be Reasonable, Just, Righteous and even Divine .. if that's what compels you.
I'm going to go out on a limb here - --- and just assume that you don't generally define yourself as stupid. Would you say that you're completely ignorant? No? Dumb as a sock full of nails? Nope? Wonderful! You may proceed. (If the answer to either of those questions was yes, that's alright too. Our world is diverse. Here's something to entertain you:?????) Forgive me friends, I was being humorous with the subject - but truly, the essence of Critical Thinking is of great importance to me. The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking (a non-profit organization based in Canada)defines critical thinking as "the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action." Sounds complicated, doesn't it? But Critical Thinking isn't rocket science. It's something we've all done since the time we were infants! The ability to competently evaluate the things we deal with in our daily lives is the result of demonstrable analysis and subsequent testing, even if only on a functional level. Even when we cannot discern how a thing works, we can still properly contemplate its use and value. If we fail at this however, not only are we wrong, but there may be consequences. So it's common for successful and genuine beings to process information analytically, in hopes that they are increasingly correct, functional, and capable. No one wants to be thought of as a lazy, irresponsible, dimwit - - but alas, that title fits some of us too well. But why and how would anyone allow themselves to become that way, when there can be such pronounced disadvantages? Is this the result of poor role models? Were we 'sabotaged' by the system, or along our journey - did we fail to appreciate the benefits of critical thinking? My next few posts will center around this theme - often, as it is applied to Theism. That however, is just the particular tone of these videos.... but not my sole point. In the end, each individual is entitled to their personal beliefs and chosen path in life. How a person arrives at those conclusions however, fascinates me. Often, it tells a greater story. Let's discuss. - C.D.
