The Argument

Google Scholar is good for a start.

An old instructor of mine used to demand of us what got him through his PhD. He'd say, "show me the fucking data."

I like that, and it wasn't just because I liked him. I like the principle. In every discipline of thought, there needs to be some sort of evidence to produce/prove an argument. That goes for History, English, Geography, Psychology, etc. I'm not making an opinion on this issue, it's the way it is.

Anyway, I'm really sick of people telling me how something is, without any shred of evidence. Last night it came to a head. A friend was taking a side of a really interesting issue, but he was failing to use his brain. He was reciting what he'd heard on TV or read in a Men's Health mag. Why do people believe everything they hear!? Why can't people question things, and go find out the answer for themselves!?

It didn't get to an argument last night, it was more of a discussion. But I also find that when younger people have intelligent conversations, opposing viewpoints are taken too personally, and the discussion degenerates into a defensive back-and-forth.

What we were arguing over doesn't matter I don't think. For the purposes of what I'm talking about right now, my side of the issue doesn't matter either (right or wrong). I'm just astonished at the weight someone can put on air. That's what his argument was based on. Thin air.

I guess it boils down to a complex thing called 'critical thinking'. Where did you hear about that? Is there any other side of the issue worth considering? Did you think about anything at all for more than 5 seconds? Or did you hear the trendy phrases that we all love (i.e. '_____ causes cancer'), and run with it?

Critical thinking is the careful, deliberate determination of whether we should accept, reject, or suspend judgment about a claim and the degree of confidence with which we accept or reject it.

Two last points. I think I use the term 'astonished' too much. I really shouldn't be. Second, I accept the excuse that someone might not know where begin when exploring data in search of the truth about an issue.

Google Scholar is a good start.

'Maim me, tame me, you can never change me'