Uncritical Thinking

When I was in college (1992) I took a class called "critical thinking". It was essentially a class in logic with a sprinkling of social application. The students who took the class were one of two types: either they were nerds (like myself) who actually enjoyed the class (this type were likely to use the principles from the class on a daily basis because they thrived on analytical details); or they were those who were taking the class because it satisfied a graduation requirement (this type were likely to forget everything they learned in the class within hours of their last class session).

That is not an insult to the second group. I was exactly the same regarding those subjects that I took only because I had to, and had no real interest in them (like anything to do with math!). Although I have not been on a college campus in almost 30 years, I believe that something has changed. When I listen to the average college student today (either in person, or in a recorded video) it is evident that the vast majority of them have taken a class in "uncritical thinking" (which is likely teaching illogical thought, and self-contradiction). And, I am certain that these people have passed this class with an A+.

It would be too easy to assume that there are so many people who just happen to be illogical. It would be harsh to say that the majority of American society has been brainwashed to believe blatant errors. It would be crazy to assume that none of these people were aware that their arguments are incoherent. It would be foolish to imagine that college graduates cannot understand both sides of an argument. At least I think it would. Right?

Maybe not.