This title is part of the Re:Considering series - books that invite you to consider how we consider things, and how to do it better. What does it mean to think well? Covering 'idiot brain', lobotomies, the difference between certainty and confidence, the nature of facts, and the virtue of...
This title is part of the Re:Considering series - books that invite you to consider how we consider things, and how to do it better. What does it mean to think well? Covering 'idiot brain', lobotomies, the difference between certainty and confidence, the nature of facts, and the virtue of intellectual hospitality, Mark Stephens invites you to consider not just what you think but how and why you think. Do we think only for ourselves, or also for the good of others?
Endorsements
"This clear, humorous and insightful book will help clear up your thinking, or at least help clear up the 'you' in your thinking. Mark writes about the hard questions of contemporary discourse with learning, courage and grace - a wonderful antidote to the vitriol of the culture wars awaits you!"
- Gordon Menzies, author of *Western Fundamentalism*, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Technology in Sydney.
"Do I think well? I think so! Hang on - not so fast! Mark Stephens, in his interesting and racy little book, gets us to think about thinking, or, to be more specific; to think about the fact that most of us don't think - not much anyway, as it is too difficult, and too confronting. Instead, we look for threads which will confirm our prejudices, we are led by intuition, not reason. Additionally, we confuse correlation with causation, we overestimate our own competence, we allow experts in one field to bracket-creep their judgements into areas beyond their competence. Does it matter? Well yes, just as conviction needs to be based on reasonable evidence, epistemic humility is preferable towards those whose opinions differ. Is this book worth the trouble of thinking about? I think so!"
- John Collier
Dr John Collier is Head of St. Andrew's Cathedral School, Sydney and is transitioning into the role of Dean of Education at Morling College.
Re:CONSIDERING invites you to look at what's familiar from an unfamiliar angle. To consider how we consider things - and how to do it better.What were you thinking?We all feel entitled to our opinion. Whether it be our take on politics, vaccines, parenting, or the value of religion, everybody wants to have their say - and everybody loves to be right.But do we know what it means to think well? Covering 'idiot brain', lobotomies, the difference between certainty and confidence, the nature of facts, and the virtue of intellectual hospitality, Mark Stephens invites you to consider not just what you think but how and why you think.Do we think only for ourselves, or also for the good of others?
This title is part of the Re:Considering series - books that invite you to consider how we consider things, and how to do it better. What does it mean to think well? Covering 'idiot brain', lobotomies, the difference between certainty and confidence, the nature of facts, and the virtue of...
This title is part of the Re:Considering series - books that invite you to consider how we consider things, and how to do it better. What does it mean to think well? Covering 'idiot brain', lobotomies, the difference between certainty and confidence, the nature of facts, and the virtue of intellectual hospitality, Mark Stephens invites you to consider not just what you think but how and why you think. Do we think only for ourselves, or also for the good of others?
Endorsements
"This clear, humorous and insightful book will help clear up your thinking, or at least help clear up the 'you' in your thinking. Mark writes about the hard questions of contemporary discourse with learning, courage and grace - a wonderful antidote to the vitriol of the culture wars awaits you!"
- Gordon Menzies, author of *Western Fundamentalism*, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Technology in Sydney.
"Do I think well? I think so! Hang on - not so fast! Mark Stephens, in his interesting and racy little book, gets us to think about thinking, or, to be more specific; to think about the fact that most of us don't think - not much anyway, as it is too difficult, and too confronting. Instead, we look for threads which will confirm our prejudices, we are led by intuition, not reason. Additionally, we confuse correlation with causation, we overestimate our own competence, we allow experts in one field to bracket-creep their judgements into areas beyond their competence. Does it matter? Well yes, just as conviction needs to be based on reasonable evidence, epistemic humility is preferable towards those whose opinions differ. Is this book worth the trouble of thinking about? I think so!"
- John Collier
Dr John Collier is Head of St. Andrew's Cathedral School, Sydney and is transitioning into the role of Dean of Education at Morling College.
Re:CONSIDERING invites you to look at what's familiar from an unfamiliar angle. To consider how we consider things - and how to do it better.What were you thinking?We all feel entitled to our opinion. Whether it be our take on politics, vaccines, parenting, or the value of religion, everybody wants to have their say - and everybody loves to be right.But do we know what it means to think well? Covering 'idiot brain', lobotomies, the difference between certainty and confidence, the nature of facts, and the virtue of intellectual hospitality, Mark Stephens invites you to consider not just what you think but how and why you think.Do we think only for ourselves, or also for the good of others?
The End of Thinking? (Re-considering Series)$8.99$4.50
Mark Stephens seeks to challenge the way we share our opinions and ideas in his short book, The end of thinking? Since thinking is a simple thing to do and we do it all the time, we believe we think well. However, sometimes we don't think clearly or logically because we're influence by emotion rather than well-thought-through arguments. \\n\\nStephens writes that we're often too quick to share our opinions as facts and don't listen to those we disagree with. We become too comfortable with our position on issues and ignore any evidence that would cause us to question our position. We're influenced by our past histories and experiences, without taking into account the experiences of others. We're also influenced by so-called experts without investigating the quality of their research. One scientific study isn't enough to rely on when making important decisions. Instead of seeking certainty for our decisions, we would do better to cultivate confidence as there are few things we can be truly certain of (except death and taxes, of course!). \\n\\nWe have to be careful that our need to 'be right' doesn't become arrogance and make us less willing to listen to others. Being a good thinker requires humility, hospitality and love so we can share our ideas in a way that benefits others. \\n\\nStephens writes in an easy-to-read manner with a touch of humour. \\n\\nOverall a helpful read. \\n\\n
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
4 years ago
This should have been a full book
This should have been a full book!\\nIn this (very) short book, Stephens teaches us how to think well. In this 'knowledge economy', we value ideas and information above others. Sometimes we even value it too much. \\nStephens talks about the dangers of information from philosophical, psychological, and statistical point of view. He also warns us to put experts in their proper place. Also, the difference between confidence and certainty. \\nThis book closes appropriately with the virtue of thinking and the character of a thinker. Which is humility, hospitality, and love. \\nThis is an excellent and timely book to teach us how to think well in the age of information overflow.
