For this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday post, Linda has asked us to write something using the word “critic” and/or “critical.”
As some of you may know, I have been a fairly harsh critic of Donald Trump. And one of the reasons I’ve been critical of him is because I believe he is incapable of critical thinking. Don’t get me wrong. Donald Trump is critical of anyone who is critical of him, but that doesn’t mean that he’s exercising critical thinking.
So what is critical thinking? It means that you make reasoned judgments that are logical and well-thought out. It is a way of thinking in which you don’t simply accept what you read, hear, have been told, or are exposed to. Rather, you are capable of weighing the facts in evidence, considering the sources of the information, and questioning the arguments and conclusions. In other words, critical thinking is the objective analysis of facts to form a judgment.
Have you ever seen Donald Trump — the leader of the free world, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United States, and arguably the most powerful man on the globe — demonstrate that he can conduct an objective analysis of facts to form a judgment? I didn’t think so.
Does he ever engage in reflection that is directed at truth and guided by evidence? Or does he more typically demonstrate a willingness to dispense with evidence altogether in his rhetoric and his actions? Does he listen to and carefully assess the information and guidance provided to him by subject matter experts, or does he dismiss them and go with his gut…his ample and uninformed gut?
Think about it. This man, who is the President of the United States, is incapable of critical thinking.
Shouldn’t the ability to think critically be a critical requirement of the office he holds?
Yes, I’m a critic of Donald Trump. I don’t know about you, but the fact that he is president and that 40% of my fellow Americans think, uncritically, that he’s the greatest thing since sliced white bread scares the shit out of me.
This, That, and the Other 
I agree that critical thinking should be a requirement. I wonder how you would measure that in the application process.
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How would you measure it? Hmm. Maybe applying some critical thinking, perhaps? 🤔
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🙂
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The photo of Trump reminded me that he has gladly accepted comparison of himself to P.T. Barnum.
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Brilliant
It’s so easy to rant these days. You applied critical thinking, Critical thinking needs to be a requirement for high school graduation!!!
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Yes, it does, but passing standardized test seems to be the focus in high schools.
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I think he does apply critical thinking — but only to activities that benefit himself. He figures out how to keep himself in the public discussion every day; he is exceptionally skilled at polarizing the population; he’s cultivating relationships with global powers probably in hopes of opening up hotels in their countries or promoting some other product. He has the capacity but he has turned it to evil designs.
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He is critically evil.
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All too many people who use critical thinking don’t really understand the concept. I think the first position is to, in a sense, remove emotions or reactive thinking/biases. In other words, “see” without having to take a position. Simply listening, then not basing future observations on past experiences. With experience and time, then quick responses will come, but from a life of experiences and understandings. Like rhetoric. I used to be confused by intellectual arguments, persuasive double-thinks, and the use of emotions. I would get into such discussions and find myself irritated or challenged. Confused. Then, I realized I didn’t need to be challenged. I didn’t need to fill the boxes. I just needed to understand and admit I didn’t have the answers when I didn’t. But if I did have the answers, understood clearly, and experience and common sense have given some, on that I can share and not be moved. What we have today, and yesterday, are all too many taking positions without removing the anger and emotions that prevent real critical thinking. Critical thinking does not require support or peer support. It does not require popularity in thinking. Actually, the popularity of thinking can actually prevent real critical thinking, for real critical thinking can stand alone.
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