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Originally Posted by Jenny  That said, I think this article provides a bit of a bridge for someone not yet comfortable in the land of critical thinking to not take it all so seriously but neither to be dismissive of the power of critical thinking. At least that is one thing it provides me. |
I think that the bridge itself is the place to be, according to the argument this fellow lays out. A kind of moderation in all things credo, between overcriticism and underthinking, between doggedness and relaxedness.
It's worthwhile not to take criticism too seriously, for exactly the reasons he outlines: novelty and enjoyment. For instance, one of my favorite movies is V for Vendetta. It's very good at asking hard questions, provoking radical thoughts, etc. On the other hand, National Treasure is also one of my favorite movies. It doesn't ask any question, it's more entertaining than philosophical (it veers into inspirational, but that's it), etc. Not surprising: it's a caper film.
They're both excellent movies, but for different reasons.
What I wonder is this: does a complete lack of criticism have its place, too? A blank mind, unthinking, obedient, ...open-minded... I think so. But, like criticism, it's not an end-all. Thoughts?