Last night’s Presidential Debate was a perfect case study in critical thinking. Despite who you think won or how the candidates performed in general, one thing is clear: emotional talk influences people. Statements can be made without any supporting evidence and we will believe them, simply because they were said with emotion and struck a primal chord in us, usually the chord of fear.
Phrases were used like, “World War III,” “Our country has gone to hell” and “Dictatorship.” Terms like this don’t get us any closer to making better decisions, they only whip Americans up into a heated frenzy. Whoever you choose to vote for, I support your decision. That’s what makes this country great. But please, make your vote based on factual support, evidence, and critical thinking rather than which speaker used the most hot buttons to get you fired up.
Plato called for a philosopher to lead, not the sophists and rhetoricians. And why? Because a philosopher would care more about asking critical questions and finding truth rather than looking impressive, boasting of success, and swaying the mob.
Like a good book that must be read slowly to benefit from it, our political system does matter, and we must consider it without bias. To think through these issues critically takes time and must not be rushed.
Just because a book says that something is true, that doesn’t make it so. And just because a candidate makes an emotional claim, that doesn’t make it so. When people argue about politics, don’t get caught up in the emotion. Listen, ask lots of questions, and ask for evidence and support of every claim made. You’ll be surprised at how little evidence there actually is.
Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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