Twelfth doctoral commandment: Think critically
by Constance Davis | May 19, 2010
Do you have someone in your circle of friends or family who is constantly forwarding to you outraged emails about something the government (or feel free to substitute the person or institution of your choice) is supposedly doing? Emails that have been forwarded and forwarded?
How do you react to those emails? I think we all know people who will read the email and be outraged by the supposed wrong that is outlined. And then they forward it to other people and ask them to send it to everyone on their email list. Some of those recipients will also be outraged and will continue to forward the email.
But here is the question I have to ask: Why would you forward something that is flat out wrong? Do you stop for a moment to ask yourself if this message has any truth in it, or do you react the way you do because it is a message that reinforces your beliefs? And if it reinforces your beliefs, then are you even going to think about questioning its truth? It is very easy today to visit one of the many wonderful web sites that debunk the myths being circulated. Do you choose to question things you do not want to believe and not question that which you want to believe? Do you turn off your critical thinking skills when they might interfere with your beliefs?
2 Responses to "Twelfth doctoral commandment: Think critically"
Marlen Wheldon says:
First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there. I do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Cheers!
Constance Davis says:
I am so glad that you found the blog posting helpful.
As for your question about getting started, I have to admit that I use several different techniques – depending upon where I am in the project — so I hope that at least one of them is helpful.
One way to approach getting started is to end the previous writing session with a clear idea on where you are going to start your next writing session. I have been known to use sticky notes that I slap onto the computer so that the next time I sit down, I know exactly what my first “assignment” is for that writing session. Then I get right to it.
Another way I get started is to take a little time to reflect on where I have been and to organize my thoughts on where I need to go next. That frequently involves me scribbling on a legal pad to figure out what I need to do. My list is never in the most logical order, so it usually involves arrows and numbers in a system that only I can understand. But it gives me a structure and helps me get started. And, I have to admit that sometimes drawing those arrows gives me far too much satisfaction – so I have fun with that.
At other times I have all kinds of ideas running around in my head, so I might just start out by writing a list of key words or phrases that will guide me through the writing session. In those cases I just choose one of those key words to start with and get to work.
Yes, I have had those days when I sat down in front of the computer and just did not want to write. Those are the days when it was most important for me to just begin writing. The writing in the first five or ten minutes is my “warm-up” writing and it might very well be deleted later in the writing session. But, it helps me get the brain and fingers lined up again so that eventually my writing will make sense and I will be able to make progress.