Critical Thinking and Unbound Ego
How critical thinking can save the world
A discussion of the perils of non critical thought and ego based impulse to action. Only by developing the critical faculties of the mind may we save the humans.
Human consciousness is a puzzle. Capable of a broad range of applications, subdivided into categories, the human mind not only interprets reality but also continually recreates it. By the subjective process of perception, integration, and organization, the functional aspects of conscious thought validate our identity and our relationship to our external environment.
Consciousness is a synthesis–abstract, intangible and frequently based on inherent ill logic. Though we as humans are capable of logic, our daily thought patterns focus mainly on the ego. Here is the definition of ego according to the American Heritage Dictionary:
e·go 1. The self, especially as distinct from the world and other selves. 2. In psychoanalysis, the division of the psyche that is conscious, most immediately controls thought and behavior, and is most in touch with external reality. 3.a. An exaggerated sense of self-importance; conceit.
The third of these definitions clearly describes the human problem. The course of human behavior and interaction, as defined by ego, is one of greed, hate, violence, slavery, bigotry, war, oppression, and the ongoing destruction of the environment. The history of the planet points to the emergence of the ego as an important demarcation in our evolution as a primate-related species.
Prior to the appearance of human consciousness, the earth existed in a state of harmony and balance for millions of years. Planetary changes occurred because of physical processes that, while not always pleasant, were the result of natural, elemental interaction. For millions of years prior to the arrival of the human ego, the inhabitants of planet Earth did not make war on each other, enslave entire populations or pollute the planet.
Human ego in itself is not a bad thing; however, human ego run amuk is planetary suicide. Unchecked ego, myopic and self-serving, is like a flesh-eating virus that gnaws at the organs of our collective body. Given the perils we now face, including the very real potential for nuclear holocaust, the human race languishes on its deathbed. Without medicine, we humans may very well perish from this disease called ego.
Yet, the antidote to this insidious malady is also our birthright. Our medicine stagnates in a
dusty corner of the mind, largely forgotten at a time when humans need it the most. The
medicine is called “critical thinking.”Critical thinking is a form of “scientific skepticism” that assumes an unbiased view of one’sself in relationship to the world. . Often referred to as the “Socratic Method,"critical thought seeks answers to fundamental questions by means of informal logic.
This technique uses a specific method of questions and answers designed to determine the inherent truth in a given subject. The established sequence of the Critical Thinking Process, according to the Wikipedia, is:
1. Itemize opinion(s) from all relevant
2. Break the arguments into their constituents
3. Examine these statements and implications for internal contradictions
4. Locate opposing claims between the various
5. Assess the weights of the various claims.
The effectiveness of this technique can be applied in groups, or by one person. For example, the president of a sovereign state, who’s country was attacked, might use this line of thought to determine the responsible person or persons. Unfortunately, even the leaders of superpowers rarely use their cognitive abilities as efficiently as possible. Consequently, their irrational, emotional response to apparent threats is the use of overwhelming, disproportionate violence, effectively endangering the planet.
The ego of politicians aside, our responsibility as world citizens remains clear and constant. We must adopt and utilize critical thinking to change planet Earth’s destination of doom. Start now. Become responsible for every single thing that you do.
This is the way to save the planet and ourselves: THINK CRITICALLY, ACT RESPONSIBLY!
