A couple of folks have asked me what I mean by critical thinking. There are multiple definitions of that question over many years. The one I favor is below:
The following excerpt comes from Peter A. Facione (1990), “Critical Thinking: A Statement of Expert Consensus for Purposes of Educational Assessment and Instruction,” a report for the American Philosophical Association.
“We understand critical thinking to be purposeful, self-regulatory judgment which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological, or contextual considerations upon which the judgment is based. CT is essential as a tool of inquiry. As such, CT is a liberating force in education and a powerful resource in one’s personal and civic life. While not synonymous with good thinking, CT is a pervasive and self-rectifying human phenomenon. The ideal critical thinker is habitually inquisitive, well-informed, trustful of reason; open-minded, flexible, fair-minded in evaluation, honest in facing personal biases, prudent in making judgments, willing to reconsider, clear about issues, orderly in complex matters, diligent in seeking relevant information, reasonable in the selection of criteria, focused in inquiry, and persistent in seeking results which are as precise as the subject and the circumstances of inquiry permit. Thus, educating good critical thinkers means working toward this ideal. It combines developing CT skills with nurturing those dispositions which consistently yield useful insights, and which are the basis of a rational and democratic society.”
If you are interested in some further discussion about the definition of critical thinking, you can read this sample chapter from Alec Fisher’s book on critical thinking here: http://assets.cambridge.org/052100/9847/sample/0521009847ws.pdf
With that definition, I will embark on the next area that has concern for me and many Americans, regardless of political position. That is Socialism as an invading force into our Republic. So, what exactly is Socialism? In its simplest terms, it is Government by a few at the top, so-called elitists, dictating to the people outside of Government by force to comply with their laws, regulations, and way of life as they envision it for everyone, except themselves.
There are many examples of this throughout history, going back thousands of years. Just look at the structure of any Government, Rome, Greece, Persia, and China up through the ages. The most prominent Socialist Governments in modern times are Communism, Nazism and Fascism. Cuba, the former USSR and Venezuela are prime examples of failed States of Socialism.
My biggest concern is how susceptible our young generation has become to Socialism and as a prime example, Senator Bernie Sander’s platform. He does not hide his Socialist background; indeed, he flaunts it. Young and impressionable people seduced, fall for it by the lies surrounding Socialism. Like a disease on humanity, Socialism has spread from one country to another, slowly and methodically seducing each generation.
What are those falsehoods I refer to about Socialism? The person spreading those lies promises a Utopian lifestyle; everything is free for them. The lie is free education, free food, free medical free everything just as long as you allow the Government to make all the choices and decisions for you. That raises a question immediately that the younger generation is either blinded to or refuses to acknowledge. How is all this free stuff afforded? The answer is to tax on virtually everything. The Government removes your responsibilities to make choices for yourself and one finds themselves serving the State in every way possible and you lose your freedom to decide for yourself. Those in power, the elitist of the Government, are exempt from the rules and restrictions placed on the rest of society. The people are subsidizing the elitist and keeping them in a lifestyle of corrupt luxury. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, William and Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Bill de Blasio, and Barrack and Michael Obama. The common denominator is they all are openly declared Socialist, Progressives, and identify with a Democratic Party that has slide far left.
I am not saying all Democrats are Socialist, let me make that clear! In the last ten years there has been a marked change in the Democrat Party. I would also say, in hindsight, the Democrat Party has slowly been moving in that direction since President Woodrow Wilson, the first openly “Progressive” and Socialist President. Is there a Republican that fits this description? Yes, Republicans that bear the name of RINO (Republican in Name Only). Two of them right off the top of my head, Mitt Romney and the late John McCain.
There are plenty of branches of this argument, but not enough space in this current post to address each one.
Very articulate and balanced. I want to be the critical thinker described in your quote!
I am ancient (83), Army brat from WWII era; still believe duty, honor, country. I do’t use social media, so nice to have access without that (presumed universal) addiction.
Clair, Thank you. I am not that far behind you myself. Welcome to the discussion. ~ Henry
I am compelled to offer the most recent example of Socialism, provided by the Democratic House of Representatives. It is H.R. 5383 A New Way Forward Act. December 10, 2019. Some of the sponsors of this legislation are: Ms. TLAIB; Ms. OMAR; Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ and our very own Arizonan, RAUL GRIJALVA to name a few. It is 28 pages in length, but easily downloadable or viewable on the internet. This legislation will completely eliminate any enforcement of our immigration laws. I offer only one page as an example.
On page 6: SPECIAL RULE FOR VENERABLE PERSONS. Definition:
A venerable person means an individual who—
Is under 21 years of age or over 60 years of age;
Is pregnant;
Identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex;
Is a victim or witness to a crime;
Has filed a nonfrivolous [sic] civil rights claim in Federal Court;
Has a serious mental or physical illness or disability;
Has been determined by an asylum officer to have a credible fear of persecution or a reasonable fear of persecution
Has limited English language proficiency;
Has been determined to be experiencing sever trauma based on information from the alien’s atty.
I urge you to read the entire 28 pages, and recognize who is sponsoring this Act. Hopefully, it will never pass.
Duane, It is my understanding that this Bill has been tabled by the Senate. Pretty sure it is going nowhere. The Bill, after reading it myself, takes apart the Immigration Laws as written. One of the big misconceptions is Department of Homeland Security has gone overboard in enforcement. When all they have done is enforce the laws on the books. One thing I learned from working with the US Attorney’s Office in various States is they set the priority for what and how laws are going to be enforced. Of course they get direction from the Attorney General’s Office, but they set the tone. All law enforcement does is carrying out the enforcement as written. If someone does not like the laws enforced then they need to talk to the representatives and change the law.
Let me start off stating that I’m not in favor of socialism at its heart but am open to understanding where “democratic socialism” (DS) can benefit or disrupt the life we have enjoyed. I have traveled to over 20 countries around the world and have never once felt that the United States isn’t the best place in the world. But I have been challenged on that line of thinking.
To that end, it’s unfortunate that only the failed states of socialism are identified here. There are prime examples where a DS approach are successful. In fact, 8 of the top 20 countries in the world are DS and a larger percentage provide much better healthcare and education than the United States (currently ranked 37th by the World Health Organization.) While we’re quick to point out USSR, Venezuela, China, Cuba, etc. what I don’t see are France, the Scandinavian countries, today’s Germany, Luxembourg and so on. Failed socialist states are more likely than not led by a notorious and ruthless leaders who are only interested in their self interest and preservation in history. DS is different in that it focuses more on providing basic needs to people via democratic means, not from one single person at the top (I will leave our current President out of this for now.)
My point is that many, many democratic countries embrace a democratic socialism that is healthy and in the best interest of the people, not the government or an individual. There are also many democratic countries that are not a democratic socialist country but led by a dictatorship (Again, leaving our current President outside this.)
Many people are looking for change but not sure where to look. Ever since the US was downgraded from the full democracy to a flawed democracy in 2016 I think people seeking out answers. Problem is, again, just like the previous election, people in the country are persuaded by emotion, social media and what they hear on television. They don’t bother with doing research and base their vote on fact. This country is bound by its constitution and the three branches of government, which I bet most Alpha, GenZ, GenY and Millennial’s don’t know, to enforce this great work by our fore founders but unfortunately this is eroding. Decisions today are made based which of two parties controls the houses or senate, the White House and Supreme court. Decisions are no longer made for the best interest of the people in this country. They haven’t been for decades and it’s starting to take its toll.
Anyway, to wrap this up, socialism can certainly steer towards Communism, Nazism and Fascism but there are many, many examples where “democratic” socialism has been very successful. For some countries, DS has served their people well. Can’t necessarily say the same for many Americans living in this country today. That’s my opinion.
Alan, I understand the point that you are making; however, there is a fundamental difference in a country that embraces Democratic Socialism and a country that is a Republic. That difference is freedom of thought and freedom of action/expression with a representative Government of our choosing. I am free to choose who I want to represent me and what I believe in and stand for and I am free to challenge that representative if I disagree. In a DS Government, people are not free or as free to do the same. I, like you, have traveled extensively throughout the world and experienced DS Governments. I lived in Germany for 6 years, and have visited most European countries that are decidedly DS. In my conversations with people in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Norway, Austria, Russia I have came away from those countries with an appreciation of my own freedoms that exist in our country. I have also lived in Japan and visited Hong Kong who are fighting for their rights to just exist in the Chinese sphere of influence. Not to give a complete resume of my travels, including South America and Africa, but in each one of those countries or continents any DS Government has a distinct drawback; people are not as free from their Governments rules as we are from ours. Our system has been collapsing for years and we as citizens have it within our power to stop it, reform it back to what our founding fathers envisioned, peacefully. It is unfortunate for us that organizations such as ANTIFA, a socialist movement acting like the Nazi Brown Shirts of the 1930’s and the Fascist Black Shirts of Italy are trying hard to establish socialism in our country. It does not help that certain Democrats approve of this movement as they believe we should be a DS country. I stand strongly against a Democratic Socialist system that would replace our Republic form of government.