Are the Impediments to Critical Thinking Innate?
Rarely are critical thinking skills directly inherited, but the foundations of such skills do often present themselves naturally, much like the development of superstition versus skepticism. Behavioral therapy research reveals that certain tendencies are innate, while the refined skill of critical thinking comes from consistent exposure and reinforcement over time.
People may not knowingly develop critical thinking skills on their own, but many individuals do cultivate these abilities without explicit instruction, through a natural developmental process that spans thousands of years. However, the current generation faces a challenge: the destructive potential of those lacking these skills is greater due to the rapid pace of modern society.
Learning Critical Thinking
Contrary to the notion that critical thinking is an innate trait, it is more accurate to say that it must be learned and taught. It is not a skill that individuals can intuitively master; rather, it is a process that requires deliberate instruction and practice.
Understanding 'Innate' in the Context of Critical Thinking
The term 'innate' refers to what is 'inside' us, present from birth. Even before birth, the external sounds and visual stimuli of the surrounding world become familiar. By the time an individual is born, a considerable amount of information has already been absorbed.
Metaphorically, each individual is 'dumped and dunked' into a specific cultural context, where certain ways of doing things and thinking are pre-determined and can be both imposed and molded. While some individuals may break these molds, the majority absorb and adapt to these cultural norms, shaping their cognitive and behavioral patterns.
The Roles of External Influences and Inner Processes
The input from these external influences can be overwhelming, potentially causing confusion and disruption in everyday life. However, when these inputs align with fundamental principles of nature and grace, they add value to one's personal and cultural development.
The 'self' is the nucleus, composed of a unique personality that interacts with other nodes of association, such as family, friends, and an expanding network of digital and AI connections. This process resembles the rules of formal philosophy, particularly logic.
The Dynamic of Mental Gymnastics and Logical Reasoning
The process of developing critical thinking involves a constant state of mental gymnastics, which may or may not adhere to logical principles. While most people cannot prove that they think, they can exhibit local 'psyche facts' that are latent and unique to each individual. These facts are the result of diverse associations that saturate the neural sponges, leading to varied neural cell firings and potential global shifts in perspective.
The term 'ominous', like a 'dark cloud of unknowing', reflects the complex and often unpredictable nature of these processes, indicating that the development of critical thinking is a multifaceted and ongoing journey.