I have been becoming more and more distressed by positions
presented in the news, on talk shows, supported by various public figures, and
rights groups. I, of course, have my own opinions and would like others to
agree with me. But what is truly bothering me is the profound lack of discourse
based on careful gathering of information and examining the pros and cons of
different courses of action.
I see people everywhere taking up positions, often based on feelings and basic schema, and then shouting others down and rejecting those with different views while labeling them. From my education over the years, I have been encouraged to think to solve problems. I have learned effective and ineffective approaches to thinking. There is the scientific method, there are the rules of logic, and there is the gathering of supported facts, and the use and misuse of statistics.
Speaking of statistics, everyone needs to know that correlation does not prove causation. The finding or observation that two things tend to appear together does not prove that one causes the other. There could be another factor exhibiting its influence on the first two. Often, we are not aware of or have trouble identifying the true influence. In addition, my education on the mind and human nature makes me well aware of the mistakes in thinking and the misperceptions on which we all develop our belief systems.
I see people everywhere taking up positions, often based on feelings and basic schema, and then shouting others down and rejecting those with different views while labeling them. From my education over the years, I have been encouraged to think to solve problems. I have learned effective and ineffective approaches to thinking. There is the scientific method, there are the rules of logic, and there is the gathering of supported facts, and the use and misuse of statistics.
Speaking of statistics, everyone needs to know that correlation does not prove causation. The finding or observation that two things tend to appear together does not prove that one causes the other. There could be another factor exhibiting its influence on the first two. Often, we are not aware of or have trouble identifying the true influence. In addition, my education on the mind and human nature makes me well aware of the mistakes in thinking and the misperceptions on which we all develop our belief systems.
Though I am confident in my intellect, I am also humble
enough to know that I don’t have all of the information. That is why we form
research groups, create special committees on specific topics, and employ fact
checkers. But even at that, we must take caution that the individuals or groups
presenting their findings could be influenced by their own biases, their desire
for a certain outcome.
I and other citizens of the enlightened civilization are
becoming more and more disenchanted by the systems we believed in to perform the
gathering of information and the developing of reasoned approaches. The
American government, we were all taught, has a system of checks and balances
which is very effective. The free press, unencumbered and protected by law, is
there to expose the lies and ensure that the citizens have accurate information
on which to form their own opinions. The citizens expect to have the right to
true and accurate information, to not be kept in the dark, ignorant and subservient
to those in power. The systems are not working correctly and the general public seems to be losing touch with the value
of being educated and informed, of doing the hard work of thinking.
As I observe the breakdown of reason in our government, our
press, and our citizens, I feel a sense of danger. I fear that others do not
see it. Or those who are aware do not know what to do about it.
