PHIL 2003 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Egocentrism, Milgram Experiment, Peer Pressure
10 Feb 2016
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What is meant by a barrier to c. t. Effective critical thinking requires us to evaluate beliefs and claims objectively on the basis of relevant considerations and reliable evidence. So anything that has a tendency to interfere with, or undermine, this process constitutes a barrier or impediment to critical thinking. Refusal to change beliefs in the face of new evidence. Lack of independence, too deferential to authority. Lack of objectivity due to overpowering emotions. Information is always relevant to the ability to form true beliefs. Sometimes people lack the information they need to form accurate beliefs on a given topic or to correct mistakes. What is worse is that people are sometimes completely unaware that they lack vital information, they don"t know how little they know. Reliable belief formation sometimes requires us to give up old beliefs as new evidence is obtained. This can be difficult and people are sometimes unable, or unwilling, to let go of old beliefs.
