Gidday Friends,

This week's Trilogy of Thoughts covers:

• Thought 1: Philosophical quote/idea: Reflecting on philosophical ideas helps us become critical thinkers.

• Thought 2: A critical thinking (CT) idea discussed originally.

• Thought 3: CT actions to implement: You must put in the work.

THOUGHT 1: A QUOTE

“Pay no less attention to the unproved assertions and opinions of experienced and older people than to demonstrations of fact; because they have an insight from their experience which enables them to see correctly.” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics).

Take a short few moments to reflect on what this may mean to you. Today, Thought 2 unpacks the ideas embedded in this quote further.

THOUGHT 2

TOPIC: Reconnecting with the Self: The Relationship between Philosophy and Critical Thinking

We now live in a fast-paced, information-saturated world, and because of this everyone is trying to figure out what is right and what is wrong.

Our minds are in information overload and there are dire social and psychological consequences for this.

SLOW DOWN—This is the only information you need to attend to what the self truly needs to thrive.

Except people are only speeding up, constantly trying to figure out how to find out the truth.

I observe people thinking they can use CT to fact-check, but it is often misconstrued as a purely scientific method for validating FACTS.

Also, most people who think they are thinking critically, are not really. This practice takes years and years and even then we continue to mess up, because let’s face it, we’re human.

Given the amount of misinformation and sharing of personal opinions on steroids, we all want the TRUTH and we want it NOW.

True CT is about finding meaning. It is rooted in philosophy and grounded in the connection with oneself.

CT is not about becoming a robotic truth-detecting machine. This is where we are going very wrong. You are human, and you will never be able to eliminate the human from your thinking without dire consequences for the human within you.

I want to bring a society of people back to basics where we learn philosophically, HOW to think not WHAT to think. It is a matter of life or death, or maybe just a matter of a better existence as opposed to a worse one.

The connection between CT and philosophy is traditional and fundamental, yet it is often overlooked in modern Western philosophy, which tends to adopt an objective, detached perspective.

In contrast, Eastern philosophies (i.e. Asian such as Japanese, Chinese, and Indian) emphasise the integration of The Self in understanding the world.

With the vast globalisation of information and a migrating world, we are exposed to all these types of thoughts more than we realise. Online, people are growing naturally tired of the robotic, detached, selfish, individualistic, and entitled behavior and are increasingly attracted to influencers who represent self-discipline and personal truth.

Still, right now, Western thought prevails as Westerners online still exert their voice as the most dominant and all-knowing.

We need to know that the point of seeing the world in a meaningful way is only for one reason—to see how it can be of value to make YOUR life better not worse.

This newsletter explores the significance of maintaining a connection with the self through CT and the fundamental role of personal insight which is central to philosophical thought.

The Role of Philosophy in Critical Thinking

Most popularly, people know ‘philosophy’ to mean ‘lover of wisdom’ but one of the most important reasons we need philosophy is that it enables us ‘TO SEE’.

WHERE we see from and HOW we see are central anchors to this.

When pursuing advanced studies, such as a PhD, researchers are tasked with producing work that is not only scientifically valid but also philosophically grounded.

WHY?

This dual focus is essential for advancing human thought and for humanity. ‘The Philosopher’ Aristotle (founding father of Western philosophy) long recognised the importance of experience not just logic in shaping our wisdom and understanding.

He said in Nicomachean Ethics (his lectures on the vital importance of working towards developing good human character):

“Pay no less attention to the unproved assertions and opinions of experienced and older people than to demonstrations of fact; because they have an insight from their experience which enables them to see correctly.”

The wisdom gained from life's challenges and experiences is a crucial component of understanding and interpreting the world. Therefore, true CT involves not only assessing the validity of information but also connecting it with our personal histories which become our philosophical insights. This is why sometimes we meet someone young or old, who has experienced many things in life and speaks with wisdom either beyond their years or because of their years. Do not take that lightly. These people are sacred and deeply philosophical.

To me, they are the true philosophers.

The Person at the Centre of Critical Thinking

The idea that one can "view from nowhere," discussed by philosopher Thomas Nagel, is a fallacy and that excessive objectivism is causing us to lose all ability to really know what is and what is not.

All of our perceptions are inherently shaped by our past experiences and personal biases. Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett's research on the neuroscience of the mind supports this notion, showing that our thoughts and reactions are immediate reflections of our accumulated experiences.

This means that every interaction with the world is filtered through our unique perspective.

Recognising this personal connection is vital for meaningful CT. It allows us to remain aware of our biases and to use them constructively rather than letting them hinder our understanding. Even when we think we are not biased we are being biased.

BTW, these are lessons to stress that it is okay to have bias! This is what makes us diverse and unique but also the same as one another.

By acknowledging that our perspectives are shaped by our histories, we can approach information and interactions with greater empathy and flexibility.

THE INTOLERANT AND DISUNITED MODERN WESTERN WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS THE RESURRECTION OF THESE IMPORTANT ATTITUDES THAT PHILOSOPHY HAS ALWAYS DELIVERED US.

The Western Disconnect

In Western societies, there is a noticeable disconnect between generations and with the self which Aristotle would be so sad to learn about despite the head start he gifted us.

This divide often stems from the assumption that modern knowledge and scientific advancements render the wisdom of older generations obsolete. However, this perspective overlooks the invaluable philosophical insights that come from lived experiences.

My own life experiences highlight the gap between the ways different generations perceive the world. My parents, who brought my brother and me from the East to the West for a better life, see the world through a different lens shaped by their experiences and cultural roots grounded in Eastern philosophies. This cultural disconnect can create significant gaps in understanding and empathy between generations. I know this first hand.

Moreover, the rapid pace of scientific and technological advancements has led to undervaluing older people's wisdom. This trend weakens the connections between generations, as younger individuals often lack the depth of experience that informs true wisdom.

The philosopher's task is not solely to accumulate knowledge but to integrate it with human experience, creating a richer, more nuanced understanding of the world.

As we see now the younger generations on the internet are still attempting to learn the ways of the mind, and this is difficult as it takes time, experience, and lessons to gain wisdom in order ‘to know’. In the meantime, there is a lot of chaos and destruction and unrestrained entitlement being thrown around. Everyone wants to say everything, feel everything, and be everything all at once. In the end, we all end up in the same place.

SLOW DOWN.

Bridging the Gap with Critical Thinking

To bridge the generational and philosophical gaps, it is essential to embrace a more holistic approach to CT. This involves:

1. All People to Recognise Personal Biases: Acknowledge how your experiences shape your understanding and be open to perspectives that challenge your views. This goes for those who believe themselves to be morally virtuous.

2. Valuing Experience: Respect and learn from the experiences of older generations, integrating their wisdom into your CT process.

3. Fostering Empathy: Approach information and interactions with intellectual empathy, this does not mean listening without boundaries to everyone’s problems and experiencing compassion fatigue, it just means understanding that everyone’s perspective is influenced by their unique life experiences.

4. Connecting with the Self: Maintain a strong connection with your own beliefs and values, using them as a foundation for meaningful CT. E.g. if you have said: “I do not think all women need to have children”. Think about all the reasons you think this, keep your emotions in check, be logical and fair with your analysis, then think about what others may think, especially women who do have and want children, and balance up your thoughts. Your thinking is relevant only to you subjectively. Your opinion is not that important. Also thinking can change. For example, I thought this until I had children, and my experience has dramatically changed my perspective.

These approaches not only improve our understanding of the world but also enrich our personal and collective experiences. #Humanityisnotaboutme.

So CT is not merely a scientific tool for validating information; it is a deeply philosophical practice that connects us with our inner selves and the wisdom of others.

Our quest for knowledge should remain grounded in human experience and wisdom.

THOUGHT 3

Activities to Implement to Improve Your Thinking Skills:

• Click on all the links I have included in this week’s Thought 2 section. Learn about some of the work by historical philosopher Aristotle, modern philosopher Thomas Nagel, and neuroscientist Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett. Compare and contrast ideas and maybe apply them to some modern-day problems. This is how you practice intellectually connecting between theory and reality and begin to think philosophically.

• Look up and learn any new words or concepts you did not understand. Do not do it later, do it NOW. This is what smart thinkers do. #learnwhileyoulive

• Talk to an experienced or older person. Be present, stay, and do not get distracted. Ask them their stories, and think about their life lessons. Reflect and connect it to your own stories, experiences, and thoughts. Ask them about their greatest lessons in life and believe their reality. #respectthewisdomofelders

• Read the book How the World Thinks by Julian Baggini. This book is a great foundation for philosophy and it will teach you about the significance of Eastern and Western thinking practices. It may feel like a complicated read, which means you can really wake up your synapses by challenging yourself to figure this book out. When it feels hard and confusing, read that part again and again. your brain will reap great benefits. I promise.

  Remember just SLOW DOWN. Anything that forces your mind to do this is good for you so read hard things!

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  Until next Sunday, take care.

  Dr. Esha