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/lit/ - Literature

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20435754 No.20435754 [Reply] [Original]

Do you think reading has effected your critical thinking? I'm not talking philosophy I mean reading in general. I don't read that often but I read regularly now (primarily fiction), and I feel like the arguments I make or opinions I hold are a lot stronger than they used to be. They're either nuanced (and then people a bunch of people misunderstand them) or bold but with a solid foundation (like I understand everything behind it completely). I feel like I can tell when someone is making an argument or holding an opinion that was told to them rather than something they came to believe or thought through. It's often like:
>topic
>someone has stupid simple opinion on topic
>oh that actually has a pretty big contradiction (obvious example)
>so you DISAGREE WITH ME?! other idea (completely different idea that was not what I said at all) is bad!
>...no...I didn't say that...i'm talking about (what you said, issue with your original statement) i agree with the sentiment but i think (more nuanced thing along the same lines)
>(person repeats same idea without addressing my concerns, also the opposing idea is bad)
Makes me want to pull my hair out. I feel like I'm communicating as clearly as I can but they're not even listening. I notice this all the time, like if I question the majority of people's beliefs it's like they literally only know the statement.

I'm not saying I'm perfect here, I just feel like this has something to do with reading and vocabulary too. Like being able to put myself in other characters and having to learn different values and beliefs has basically built up these skills in myself. So now I understand my own ideas and beliefs and all that better, but also talking with most other people is like nails on a chalkboard, because they don't really think shit through. And half of the time it becomes me walking them through their own belief system rather than an actual dialogue between us. Have any of you experienced this? Do you think reading has strengthened your critical thinking skills?

>> No.20435775
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20435775

>>20435754
Unfortunately yeah, and most people either don't want to listen or they don't understand the errors they're making

Then it gets frustrating because you see the same logical/categorical errors over and over and wonder why humanity is so stupid

>> No.20435783

>>20435754
Yah, no it sucks. People arguing towards a pre determined thesis rather than an attempt to understand and explore subject matters dynamicly and frankly. IDK if reading in specific helps, I think thats kind of vague, probably the content is more important than it just being text.

I usually try not to make declaratives unless its tongue in cheek, very much apondictic or I make the predicates known like
>If given x and y, therefore z, but of course you might take x and w instead which you think is more useful/illustrative etc, and you might get something else.

But yah, it is annoying. ANd its hard to communicate to some people. I think people who are frank and simple, regardless of demographic, are usually the easiest to talk to. people who accept the whole “Knows that he knows nothing” schtick. But we can fool oursevles too. ANd we can also sometimes psyche ourself into innaction too.

>> No.20435785

Reading in itself has zero value. One can read YA vampire romances, for example. I think everyone would agree that those have zero value. It matters how you read and what you read. If you read something that's difficult and well-written and read it well (which may involve reading it several times or taking notes) then you'll gradually get better at critical thinking. The other big factor is avoiding the internet as much as possible.

>> No.20435791

>>20435754
Arguing with people in general is a waste of time. They don't hold themselves to any kind of intellectual standard at all, nor are they good at self-reflection. Furthermore, even if you convince them - there's no real benefit - you basically just educated them for free.

>> No.20435812

>>20435783
>I think people who are frank and simple, regardless of demographic, are usually the easiest to talk to.
Yeah this is very true. Some of the best conversations or connections I've made with others have been because we were both of this "yeah I don't really know much, I could be wrong" mindset. And the conversations are pretty simple, straightforward.

>> No.20435843

>>20435785
>One can read YA vampire romances, for example. I think everyone would agree that those have zero value
Untrue. They still have more value than vampire movies for example.