WANTED: CRITICAL THINKERS!

Where are they?

Since the late 70s, I've been thinking about higher education. I wanted to go to college after high school, but there was no money for that. And since my long-term goal was to be a Marine, I enlisted after high school.

While many of my friends took off for their freshman year in college, I took off for Parris Island, and the beginning of a transformation that has lasted a lifetime.

I didn't get to college until many of my friends from high school were graduating from college. And I've been in and out of higher ed ever since, most recently last year when I audited two college courses: Constitutional Law and Issues in Political Philosophy.

After I defended my PhD dissertation in August 2022, I was back in class auditing classes two weeks later.

If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked why I did that, I'd have a lot of money to take my lovely bride on an exotic trip to Asia! I got the same questions when I started doctoral studies in 2016 at the age of 58.

”Why are you doing this?”

I could write a book to answer that question, and I just might.

So, when I say I have an idea of what one of the major problems in higher education is, it's an informed opinion based on study and experience.

Of course, the meddling in higher ed by Trump and his band of misfit flying monkeys is a huge problem. No question. And naturally, the high cost of higher education is a huge problem.

But for me, the worst thing happening in higher education is the dropping or elimination of humanities courses. Every year, fewer and fewer humanities degrees are conferred.

"So? Like we need more English majors, or more History majors, or more Philosophy majors. They'll have to teach school because you can't make any real money with those useless degrees. And school teachers don't make jack," say the money chasers.

Useless degrees. Apparently, all of mine are.

To borrow a line from John Keating in "Dead Poets Society," "Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life,” but where do our critical thinkers come from? They come from the humanities: literature, history, and philosophy.

The paranoid and cynical among us will say this is a calculated effort to eliminate critical analytical thinkers. That's a position worthy of this question: "Who benefits from a decrease in critical analytical thinkers?"

The financial reality is that student loan debt is killing generations of college-bound students. Humanities majors aren't likely to earn high six figures. Joe Biden gave the middle finger to oligarchs in favor of student loan forgiveness. Trump gives the middle finger to everyone in favor of his wealthy pals.

But who benefits if student loans either handicap students or prevent students from even going to college? If the number of college graduates continues to fall, who benefits?

So, what's the benefit of critical thinking?

Critical thinking is an indispensable skill. It offers a wide array of benefits in nearly every aspect of life, from personal decisions to professional success and civic engagement.

Key advantages of critical thinking:

1. Improved Decision-Making:

- Informed Choices: Critical thinking allows you to weigh options, assess consequences, and consider alternatives before making well-informed decisions. You're less likely to make impulsive choices based on emotions or limited information.

- Reduced Bias: By actively questioning assumptions and recognizing your own biases (and those of others), you can make more objective and rational decisions.

2. Enhanced Problem-Solving:

- Root Cause Analysis: It enables you to break down complex problems into manageable parts, identify underlying issues, and get to the root cause rather than just treating symptoms.

- Innovative Solutions: Critical thinking fosters creativity by encouraging you to explore alternative viewpoints and brainstorm unconventional solutions, leading to more effective and novel approaches.

- Systematic Approach: It provides a structured approach to challenges, ensuring you consider all angles and evaluate potential solutions methodically.

3. Stronger Communication and Collaboration:

- Clearer Articulation: Critical thinkers can express their thoughts and ideas clearly, logically, and persuasively, making them better communicators.

- Active Listening: It encourages active listening and empathy, allowing you to understand and consider diverse perspectives, which strengthens relationships and fosters constructive discussions.

- Constructive Feedback: You're better equipped to provide and receive thoughtful, evidence-based feedback, leading to more productive interactions.

4. Increased Self-Awareness and Personal Growth:

- Self-Reflection: Critical thinking involves introspection, helping you understand your own beliefs, values, biases, and areas for improvement.

- Adaptability: It promotes open-mindedness and a willingness to consider new information and adapt your perspectives as needed, which is crucial in a rapidly changing world.

- Intellectual Curiosity: Critical thinkers have a natural inclination to ask questions, explore topics in-depth, and continually expand their understanding, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

5. Better Academic and Professional Performance:

- Academic Success: In educational settings, critical thinking is vital for analyzing texts, evaluating evidence, constructing logical arguments, and understanding complex concepts, leading to higher grades and deeper learning.

- Workplace Value: Employers highly value critical thinking as it's essential for navigating complex situations, solving problems with innovative solutions, making strategic decisions, and driving innovation. It's often cited as one of the most in-demand soft skills.

- Career Advancement: Professionals with strong critical thinking abilities are often more successful in managing teams, leading projects, and contributing to organizational growth.

6. Navigating Information Overload and Misinformation:

- Discerning Fact from Fiction: In today's information-saturated world, critical thinking provides the tools to scrutinize sources, verify information, identify logical fallacies, and avoid being misled by deceptive content or propaganda.

- Well-Informed Opinions: It helps you seek out diverse sources of information, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of complex issues and enabling you to form well-informed opinions.

In essence, critical thinking empowers individuals to think independently, make sound judgments, and engage meaningfully with the world around them, leading to greater personal effectiveness and societal contribution.

In practical application, critical thinkers can sift out the bullshit politicians spew. And that skill is a threat to bullshit politicians.