019: The Importance of Thinking Critically

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...or, "Fridays with Morrie." One way we can revive the intellectual heritage Freemasons had during the Enlightenment is to revive our commitment to critical thinking. What is critical thinking? It is the process we use to discover what is truth from fiction in an independent, disciplined and rigorous way. In these days of "spin," at a time when lies are just fine as long as you don't get caught, when "mission accomplished," means, well nothing and we are forced to really delve into what the word "is" really IS, critical thinking is an essential part of a healthy democracy. The problem is, we live in a consumerist age when our opinions are conveniently packaged for us by talk radio and pundits in an ever growing, shrill cacophany of meaningless well...crap.

Thank heavens there is a tradition in the west that values critical thinking, self-education and independent thought. Freemasonry. The ground floor of this tradition is critical thinking.

But why is critical thinking important? And what exactly is it anyway? In this episode, I talk to Dr. Morrie Fiddler, of the School for New Learning at DePaul Univeristy in Chicago. We also look at some really good media coverage of the Fraternity and some really really bad coverage.

What do you think? Is critical thinking an issue we could again be champions of?

Comments

[Matt English]

Hey Eric,
An interesting topic, one which relates well to the goals of Freemasonry.
Cheers for the shoutout too, scared me, I wasn't expecting the ol' laptop to say my name!
Fraternally
Matt

[Mike Halleran]

Critical thinking and our fraternal enlightenment roots go hand in hand, as far as I'm concerned. But since we can't seem to agree (as a body) whether to have ham salad or chicken salad at refreshment, I think we have miles to go...

[Isaac Moore]

"So convienent a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do." - Benjamin Franklin

[Manel]

Very interesting subject. By the way, the txt message alert didn't work this time.

Thanks for the hard work

[Michael Weisberg]

Bro. Eric,

A pleasure as always! It's wonderful to hear a voice speaking about what masons ARE rather than what masons DO. Critical thinking is dangerous, even treasonous, but it is above all essential! Keep up the good work!

YF,
W.'.Michael

[Jeff Carter, Naples Florida]

Bro. Eric,
I enjoyed talking to ya on the phone a couple of weeks ago. What you are doing is AWESOME!!! I REALLY liked this episode on critical thinking. The process of critical thinking is like the Flying Buttress that holds up the Temple within that all Masons should be building and perfecting. Without its support our ediface would crumble. I am anxiously waiting your next episode.........and as you so eloquently put it.....we ARE the "Shock Troops of the Enlightenment"!!!!

Onward.....

Bro. Jeff Carter

[Bro. David B]

Very disappointing show. For sure the worst you've produced. Showing your left political leanings and then going on with a professor who was, at best, a bore. The topic could have been very interesting if approached differently, or with a more interesting guest. I look forward with hope that your next whow will rebound.
As far as critical thinking, I believe this episode could have used much more.

[Eric Diamond]

Thanks for your feedback, David. I just have one question: At what point does morality become politics? You assert that I have "left political leanings" (a convenient label, I'm sure), however I am really a centrist. I vote both Republican (much to the chagrin of my wife) and Democrat. Some of my views tend to be liberal and some are conservative.

I think that intellectual honesty in governance, especially where matters of war are concerned have nothing to do with politics. Clinton sent planes to Serbia and troops to Mogadishu. Bush 1 and 2 sent them to Iraq. Shouldn't all political spectra be held accountable to the same standards in a democracy?

I respectfully propose that you are confusing politics with civics. I have not advocated for any specific policy other than honesty, transparence and accountability from both our leaders and our press. Does that make me a lefty? So be it I guess.

I'm a little sensitive to this because I know there are Masons who are conservatives out there, and those who are liberals, and I am not trying to alienate anyone. What I am trying to do is see if we can get a consensus that we can subdue our passions and tease out morality from politics. It is in the interest of partisan politicians to link the two, but clearly our founding fathers were very leery of attempts to do that. Whether it is comitting adultery with an intern or soliciting men in a public bathroom, immoral behavior affects politicians on both sides of the aisle. It is time we as a nation grow up and stopped equating moral capacity with political affiliation.

Our society (especially in the USA) needs this desperately. I think as Masons we have a valuable role to play in a democracy. We are the ones who fight for the dis-integration of the linkage between politics and morality. We hold men to a higher standard than whether they are "red" or "blue." Doing that encourages reasoned discourse, and mutual respect, the lifeblood of any democracy.

Perhaps at the very least we can agree that Masonry encouranges us to be conservative rather than Conservative, liberal rather than Liberal. Bro. Churchill once quipped that if you're not a liberal when you're 20, you have no heart. If
you're not a conservative when you're 40, you have no head. I like to think that the ideal Mason (the one we strive to be) is both.

Next episode is in post now, which is a wrap of the topic. Then we're moving on to other things.

[Jeff Carter, Naples Florida]

Dear Brother Eric,
What suprised me the most about Brother David Bloomquist's remarks was NOT the venomous, INTOLERANT, condescending attitude towards the efforts of a TRUE Brother who is trying to do GOOD WORKS.......but that this Brother is the Master of his lodge. I TRULY hope that he is not spreading this same kind of sad behavior to his brethren the members of Lancaster Lodge # 54. Maybe when he reads this he will harken back to when he became a mason and remember what he was taught regarding the Jewels of the Lodge! These jewels not the least: The Level teaching us Equality, the Plumb teaching us Rectitude of Conduct, and MOST of all in Brother Bloomquist's case....The SQUARE (which is the Worshipful Master's Jewel) teaching us..... ALL of us......that we should Square our actions towards ALL mankind.
If Mister Bloomquist feels that you are doing such a bad job at what was one of your most thought provoking and intelligent programs....then maybe he should start his OWN podcast. I for one will NOT be tuning in if he does.
Ya know, our forefathers and Brother Masons such as George Washington and Ben Franklin were the epitomy of what we should strive to be........FREE THINKERS!!! Thinkers that do EXACTLY what your guest professor was inviting us to do regardless of religious or political affiliation.......ask questions and then ask MORE QUESTIONS!!!
Brother Diamond........please DO NOT let this diatribe of a brother (whose ashlar is still VERY Rough) ever presume to influence you to do ANYTHING differently with your program!
I am ashamed to think that the next newly raised Master Mason visiting your website will be unfortunate enough to witness the venom that Brother B. spewed at your honest effort to encourage masons to actually THINK and ask.........WHY?

With Sincerest Regret that I had to feel compelled to write this,

Fraternally,
Brother Jeff Carter

[Eric Diamond]

Bro Jeff:

Thanks for your support. Even though I am a little disappointed in the way that Bro. Bloomquist's comments were worded, I understand where he is coming from and I appreciate his sentiment. You can't be loved by all the people all the time, and this subject matter is definitely...I dunno... challenging?

Yeah, sometimes it is uncomfortable, but the purpose of X-Oriente has always been to spark the kind of conversations that go beyond ritual peculiarities, organizational gossip and historical research. I'm learning too.

It's interesting, though in the way he worded his comments and I'll just say that I am preparing a show on this topic (How we communicate electronically, not Bro. Bloomquist!). I've no doubt that should we meet in person, his demeanor would not come across as it did here and he'd be a great guy to raise a glass with.

I encourage W. Bro. Bloomquist and you (and the whole X-Oriente community) to continue to listen, speak and stay engaged, always with rational rigor, compassionate vigor and brotherly love.

In fact, if Bro. Bloomquist has something to say on the topic, I encourage him (and any listener to the show) to record a rebuttal and I'll play it. All I ask is you be repectful, lay off the ad hominem (personal) attacks and stay on topic. Oh and record in as good a quality as you can. ;)

Again, thanks for your comments and your continuing support! Fiat Vox!

[Jeff Carter, Naples Florida]

Bro Eric,
You are right........Brotherly Love MUST PREVAIL no matter what! I see where you are coming from. It is true that when typing a short and quick thought in an e-mail that ones true intent can often be misconstrued and taken not in the way it was intended. It's just that what you are doing with X-Oriente has taken a huge step to fill a void that I have seen within Freemasonry for some time. Your program has inspired me and I know others in many ways!!! So, when I saw what I thought was an unfounded attack and bad Masonic conduct.........I felt compelled to respond.
To Brother Bloomquist.......I apologize for my previous response which was written in haste and posted just as hastily. I am sure that your intentions as Master of your Lodge are always honorable and I am sure that as Eric so wisely stated..... should we meet in person you would be a great guy to raise a glass with.

Mea Culpa.....mea culpa.....mea maxima culpa....

Brother Jeffrey A. Carter

[Bro. David B]

I have responded personally to Bro. Eric and will respond more here when I have more time. I am a huge fan of the show, and this was not meant to demean or discourage him in any way. Actually, just the opposite
As for Bro Carter's response, yes my ashlar is still very rough. I don't think any man or Mason's is as smooth as he wants it to be.

[Jeff Carter, Naples Florida]

Brother David,
Well said!!! Obviously my own ashler..... is very ROUGH indeed! Again, please forgive my hasty words. It is not my true nature to be judgemental.....especially towards a Brother Mason. I hope that you will accept my heartfelt apology.
I am the Animal Collections Curator at the Naples Zoo in Naples Florida and if either you or Brother Diamond are ever down my way please drop by and I will give ya the Big tour of our zoo.

Again to you both......my Sincerest Apology....

Bro. Jeff Carter
olorin3791@hotmail.com