Does religion impair vital critical thinking skills?

[icehorse]

What I think the world needs now is for people to be better educated and have better critical thinking skills. Populations that can think critically are harder to manipulate and control by oppressive leaders. Populations that can think critically are harder for big business and corrupt politicians* to hoodwink. Better educated people will make better choices in regards to being good stewards of the planet. And so on.

Cognitive scientists have learned that all cognitive activity uses the same supply of glucose. Everything you do with your brain, drains the same "fuel tank". Even something as simple as exercising willpower uses brain glucose.

As an anti-theist, I see the mental energy the "faithful" put into keeping their religion plausible. I have to think that religion overall (even moderate religion), works in opposition to increasing critical thinking.

Perhaps religion does have some benefits (I'm not convinced), but whatever benefits religion might claim, it strikes me that these benefits could be provided without the need for cognitively draining, supernatural explanations that fly in the face of an otherwise honest view of the world.

 

[Woodrow LI]

Excess in all things including religion will impair critical thinking. which is probably one reason Islam stresses moderation in all things including religion.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise (i.e., no one enters paradise only through his good deeds)." The Prophet's companions asked: "Not even you?" The Prophet replied: "Not even myself, unless God bestows His favor and mercy on me. So be moderate in your religious deeds and do what is within your ability. None of you should wish for death, for if he is a doer of good, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to God." - Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 577

 

[George-ananda]

I think that for some, like myself, vital critical thinking skills is what led me to spirituality. I have studied multiple so-called paranormal subjects and spiritual teachings with a critical thinking mind and that study has formed my beliefs.

The OP seems to be implying that vital critical thinking skills leads one to materialist-atheism and away from spirituality and religion. This I disagree with.

I find that both fundamentalist religionists and hard atheists use their 'vital critical thinking skills' to defend the position they have become emotionally attached to. I think attachment does 'impair vital critical thinking skills'; one loses open-mindedness to new ideas and evidence.

 

[LuisDantas]

Religion should not oppose critical thinking. Although it is an unfortunate truth that it often does.

 

[icehorse]

I think that for some, like myself, vital critical thinking skills is what led me to spirituality. I have studied multiple so-called paranormal subjects and spiritual teachings with a critical thinking mind and that study has formed my beliefs.

The OP seems to be implying that vital critical thinking skills leads one to materialist-atheism and away from spirituality and religion. This I disagree with.

I find that both fundamentalist religionists and hard atheists use their 'vital critical thinking skills' to defend the position they have become emotionally attached to. I think attachment does 'impair vital critical thinking skills'; one loses open-mindedness to new ideas and evidence.

Hey George,

I think it's really important to keep religion distinct from spirituality. To acknowledge our spiritual side requires no suspension of our critical thinking. The same cannot be said for religion.

 

[George-ananda]

Hey George,

I think it's really important to keep religion distinct from spirituality. To acknowledge our spiritual side requires no suspension of our critical thinking. The same cannot be said for religion.

I don't know; can't one come to a religion using critical thinking (i.e. some non-fundamentalist religion)?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I'm trying to work out exactly what "critical thinking" is. Does anyone have a succinct definition?

I had a look here, but it seems to be defined in a number of different ways: Critical thinking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I quite liked the second definition:
"disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence"

 

[Riverwolf]

Intellectual elitism would probably be just as effective at reducing empathic ability as certain types of religious elitism would be at reducing intellectual ability.

 

[icehorse]

I'm trying to work out exactly what "critical thinking" is. Does anyone have a succinct definition?
I had a look here, but it seems to be defined in a number of different ways: Critical thinking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here's a strawman proposal (not a strawman argument!) for critical thinking:

Critical thinkers value:

- logic and reason
- evidence
- parsimony (Occam's razor)
- knowledge and discovery

There is no reason why holding these values should diminish empathy or compassion, in fact we could argue that they should increase these traits.

 

[Ultimatum]

Excess in all things including religion will impair critical thinking. which is probably one reason Islam stresses moderation in all things including religion.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise (i.e., no one enters paradise only through his good deeds)." The Prophet's companions asked: "Not even you?" The Prophet replied: "Not even myself, unless God bestows His favor and mercy on me. So be moderate in your religious deeds and do what is within your ability. None of you should wish for death, for if he is a doer of good, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to God." - Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 577

There is not one definite determination of moderation in any one area/comparison of several areas.
Moderation in one thing is going to be different from moderation in Islam. Just as taking Paracetemol in moderation and drinking water in moderation are different. And what do you mean by moderation? That you can cherrypick things that suit the situation at hand when it arises? In that case, you have created your own religious sect and cannot practice true Islam.
Does this mean that when presented with scientific evidence, you can shun it because you are practicing in 'moderation'?

Thanks in advance for your answer.

 

[Ultimatum]

I think that for some, like myself, vital critical thinking skills is what led me to spirituality. I have studied multiple so-called paranormal subjects and spiritual teachings with a critical thinking mind and that study has formed my beliefs.

The OP seems to be implying that vital critical thinking skills leads one to materialist-atheism and away from spirituality and religion. This I disagree with.

I find that both fundamentalist religionists and hard atheists use their 'vital critical thinking skills' to defend the position they have become emotionally attached to. I think attachment does 'impair vital critical thinking skills'; one loses open-mindedness to new ideas and evidence.

Not gathering a conclusion from facts and evidence (which is logical) and forming a story from indefensible claims and stating them irrefutable (due to universal negatives) is not critical thinking, indeed!

 

[SkylarHunter]

What I think the world needs now is for people to be better educated and have better critical thinking skills. Populations that can think critically are harder to manipulate and control by oppressive leaders. Populations that can think critically are harder for big business and corrupt politicians* to hoodwink. Better educated people will make better choices in regards to being good stewards of the planet. And so on.

I completely agree that more education is good and critical thinking, essential. Religions should not brainwash people.

On the other hand the corporate and bank psychopaths that are currently controlling the world are known for graduating from the best universities. I don't think they are very worried about better choices or the planet so good education doesn't necessarily mean a better person.

Never have never been so many people "highly educated" in the world as today and there has never been so much poverty, corruption or injustice as now. We're clearly missing something here...

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Critical thinkers value:
- logic and reason
- evidence
- parsimony (Occam's razor)
- knowledge and discovery
There is no reason why holding these values should diminish empathy or compassion, in fact we could argue that they should increase these traits.

I'd assume critical thinking to be ethically neutral.

 

[Woodrow LI]

There is not one definite determination of moderation in any one area/comparison of several areas.
Moderation in one thing is going to be different from moderation in Islam. Just as taking Paracetemol in moderation and drinking water in moderation are different. And what do you mean by moderation? That you can cherrypick things that suit the situation at hand when it arises? In that case, you have created your own religious sect and cannot practice true Islam.
Does this mean that when presented with scientific evidence, you can shun it because you are practicing in 'moderation'?

Thanks in advance for your answer.

I find Islam to be very open to science. One of the earliest Scientists to propose evolution was a 9th Century Muslim. al-Jahiz See HERE
The sciences and Medicine are probably the 2 most sought careers for Muslims. It is difficult for a Muslim to ignore science as we are required to question and verify all things. that we believe. Yes, we do have our share of "Sheeple" who blindly follow any maniac that can holler loudly and blame non-Muslims for all the world's troubles.

What I believe to be moderation is to avoid excesses, avoid doing things to the extent they harm yourself or others, always question and look at all possibilities, avoid that which exceeds your ability to sustain, keep your mess in your own yard, always be willing to look at other views, do not denounce something as wrong because it differs from your own choices.Stay mindful of being human and not capable of being omnipotent.

 

[icehorse]

I completely agree that more education is good and critical thinking, essential. Religions should not brainwash people.

On the other hand the corporate and bank psychopaths that are currently controlling the world are known for graduating from the best universities. I don't think they are very worried about better choices or the planet so good education doesn't necessarily mean a better person.

Never have never been so many people "highly educated" in the world as today and there has never been so much poverty, corruption or injustice as now. We're clearly missing something here...

There have always been evil, greedy people, and technology has allowed them to have a broader reach. The way to fight this is not through ignorance - it's to get the population educated and not so easily fleeced.

Woodrow - I think in the US your perspective is probably pretty accurate. But across the Muslim world, I think your perspective is rarely true. Many of the world's Muslims are illiterate and/or impoverished, and/or oppressed. BTW, this thread isn't singling out Islam, it's about all religion.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Religions are constructed by critical thinking. It is not religious belief itself limiting critical thinking, it's religious organizations that have been around for so long that the followers don't know anything other than what the religion says, and it ages to a point where it starts telling people what to think.

 

[Woodrow LI]

Religions are constructed by critical thinking. It is not religious belief itself limiting critical thinking, it's religious organizations that have been around for so long that the followers don't know anything other than what the religion says, and it ages to a point where it starts telling people what to think.

That is also my impression. Once you get people proclaiming themselves "Leaders" the first thing they do is try to end thinking among the "Sheeple" and there are always many willing to be led.

I find what people almost demand from religion is a list of do this, don't do that. Eliminates the need to think and removes all guilt when they get to follow the "High Holy Leader".
It even occurs in Islam and every Muslim with 1/10th of a brain should know we do not have any ordained clergy.

 

[icehorse]

Religions are constructed by critical thinking. It is not religious belief itself limiting critical thinking, it's religious organizations that have been around for so long that the followers don't know anything other than what the religion says, and it ages to a point where it starts telling people what to think.

Wow! I can cook up a cynical argument that would agree with this idea, but I'm struggling to come up with an argument that would support this idea AND be supportive of religion... help!

 

[Cephus]

Religion should not oppose critical thinking. Although it is an unfortunate truth that it often does.

Why not? All woo beliefs, by their very existence, oppose critical thinking. Anyone who believes something, religious or otherwise, without good, objective reasons to do so is acting uncritically and irrationally. Just because people say "I can believe what I want!" is just childish.

 

[Riverwolf]

Here's a strawman proposal (not a strawman argument!) for critical thinking:

Critical thinkers value:

- logic and reason
- evidence
- parsimony (Occam's razor)
- knowledge and discovery

There is no reason why holding these values should diminish empathy or compassion, in fact we could argue that they should increase these traits.

Critical thinkers aren't necessarily intellectual elitists. I'm a critical thinker, but I'm not an intellectual elitist. I also follow a religion.

Intellectual elitists are people who hold anyone who is not intellectual, or feels that there are more important things that intellectual pursuits, are poor examples of human beings, unless and until they become intellectual.

Just as critical thinking does not inherently run against empathic thinking, neither does having a religion automatically run contrary to critical thinking abilities.

Religious elitism runs contrary to critical thinking and empathy. So does intellectual elitism.