A question about critcal thinking

[windsurfer-sp]

I have been reading and joining in on the CT forum for the last month or two now. During this time my perception of the CT forum has begun to deprecate as I am slowly starting to think that almost every single argument has never changed someone’s initial position on a subject.

I find this especially true in terms of religion and bigger picture ideas. I see people like Guido in full swing giving compelling evidence and passionate debate yet nothing ever seems to come of it.

My question is this: Has anyone ever through a CT Thread changed his or her initial view on any subject?

I am asking this because I want to know whether the CT forum is a place for rambling and debates that end in stalemates or a place where peoples mindsets are changed or at the very least a place where people learn things and are made aware of new ideas.

Please give your personal opinions and experiences.

[Tasselfoot]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

no. long ago someone said that the CT forum is garbage... and it is. there are a few intelligent people in there trying to give compelling statements to the masses.... and then the masses, who either think they are intelligent or recognize they aren't yet still try to be anyway, try to come up with retard reasons for keeping their beliefs.

as Chris Rock said as Rufus in Dogma, "I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier. Life should malleable and progressive; working from idea to idea permits that. Beliefs anchor you to certain points and limit growth; new ideas can't generate. Life becomes stagnant."

this is the reason I almost never post in, or even read, CT anymore.

[T0rajir0u]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

deprecate

deprecate \DEP-rih-kayt\, transitive verb:
1. [Archaic] To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer.
2. To disapprove of strongly.
3. To belittle; to depreciate.

(You probably meant deteriorate.)

But I agree. The type of people who would try to do some Critical Thinking on FFR aren't exactly the type of people who are willing to listen to logical arguments most of the time. I doubt anyone in a CT thread has ever changed his/her opinion. =/

Beliefs anchor you to certain points and limit growth; new ideas can't generate. Life becomes stagnant.

QFGJ

[Hr2]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

I state once again the purpose of a debate.

A debate is not to change your opponents point of view, someone who is willing to fight over their belief will not change (in most circumstances). However, the idea of a debate is to change or give people views they have not heard of before. The topic creator will not change his point of view no matter how wrong they are, but another random poster who didn't have a stance in the first place will often take a side. Also, there are people who might stumble upon a topic randomly and read a few posts as food for thought.

Most people who make posts in this forum seem to have warped or extremist views, another thing many of them lack is intelligence.

ps reading wikipedia doesn't mean you know anything about the subject at hand, quoting research or statistics doesn't make you smart (just because random CT people are going to post in here maybe they'll read this and realize that you only need to post the research/quotations in certain situations)

[Iam_a_Maid]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

CT is a useful forum. There is few good things I've picked up from this forum. Ability to look at some things in different light and to not fall into traps. There were few ideas that I haven't thought of before, be it from different point of view or being new all together.

[Reach]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

I change my ideas all the time o_O

Wether it be from what someone else said or what I've read or just something that clicked or happened in my mind, but yea. The CT forum is atleast interesting most of the time, fools aside.

I also learn new things here from time to time, and I suppose well, not just from this forum, but overall improved my ability to debate something. I also don't hold very many beliefs...or atleast, not very strongly, and they change.

I really don't know what most people expect this forum to be anyway. There are dozens of udderly horrible debates and posts on every forum with such a forum, no matter who is posting, no matter how educated they are. I mean, you could read a moronic post from someone with a PH.D in something and a very informative post by some random user.

[Hr2]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

gj reach making 99 spelling errors in a serious post

[talisman]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

maybe he meant depreciate.

anyway I find most debate in here quite limited and not to be taken seriously, as no one cites sources or really backs up their points with solid evidence.

[Tps222]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

The biggest lesson Crit Thinking has taught me is that most people are ignorant and stubborn. I've learned to be opened to ideas.

[iggymatrixcounter]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

I find this especially true in terms of religion

Buh religion is a hot topic with a lot of people and only the cocky make threads about it. XD

I have definitely learned a bit here. I mean debates, IMO, are ideas of a subject being thrown around with all points considered. I never expect anyone to majically change their view because I gave them a compelling arguement on a flash game website lol.

But I do find that some people have no idea what they are talking about when they post something in a given thread. Then others run with the idea and it goes hay-wire. Course I've been guilty of this at times too.

[windsurfer-sp]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

First of all I meant depreciate, a single mistake isn't to bad compared to Reach with apparently 99.

Secondly I think Tassels quote sort of somes up my problem with CT. People who have beliefs (myself included) are not as able to change ideas or was of thinking.

The first time I joined a CT thread I thought if I had the truth, the right information, if I said what was correct I could change peoples opinion. I now sort of doubt that what I say will have any effect on anyone as most peoples minds are shut. I think the only way to change someone's opinion or view is through EXPERIENCE. Experience is the key, to experience something to be there to feel something it's practically the only way for someone to change views.

I still think that the CT forum is a great place to debate and discuss things I just have to make sure I do not expect people to be changed through what I say.

Im glad that some people have learnt things whether they never knew about the subject before or if it suddenly clicked.

[SethSquall]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

CT hardly ever touch's a subject that I feel the need to debate with. People may thinks that either because im not too bright or that I really have nothing to say on the subject. I'd say its alittle from column A and a little from column B. However, when a serious debate comes about I do read the threads because I always like to hear peoples opinions, even the opinions that go along the lines of "omg jesus gay satan all way no srs i am atheist!22". So I think that even if a debate ends at a stalemate at least people get there views across and get heard, yea that's not always a good thing but sometimes some people on this forum open my mind alittle more than it was.

I still think that the CT forum is a great place to debate and discuss things I just have to make sure I do not expect people to be changed through what I say.

You shouldn't expect to change people thought tracks anyway dude. Things would certainly rock if everybody could at least see things your way (which is stretching it) let alone change the way they think about whatever subject people are debating on.

[windsurfer-sp]

Re: A question about critcal thinking

You shouldn't expect to change people thought tracks anyway dude. Things would certainly rock if everybody could at least see things your way (which is stretching it) let alone change the way they think about whatever subject people are debating on.

Im glad that the CT forum opens your mind to new views, and that i give the CT forum credit for.

When I belive that I have the whole truth that can help people I am inclined to give my view as to help the person. This often ends up me wanting someone to change what they think (their thought tracks). My motive I think is for the better but I can understand how people can be opposed to it, so if people dont like it please tell me and I will stop