Hello Hubski, I am a first time poster and a nomad from other boards/sites you may know of. But since this is a place for thoughtful discussion I thought it would be cool to ask a question that has been rubbing me.
But I want to learn how to think for myself, and I want to learn how to be more critical of the world around me and come to stance on my opinions and hold by them.
I think it is blatantly obvious that ask others to help me think for myself is redundant but I am curious.
How do some of our greatest thinkers operate? I find it very fascinating and I want to learn how to stop taking pre-digested political stances/ opinions, and I want to take my own stances and think outside of the box. I haven't always been the best when it comes to thinking for myself, I used to get caught into self-help books, relying on message boards, looking up convoluted theories over how relationships, life, and money work.
Getting stuck on TED Talks, or other self improvement theory, but all it does is cause nothing but problems and stick negative or pointless thought in my head. It causes severe mental drain, and takes unique perspective away. And I want to ask how do you all think when it comes to problems? Do you have any recommended reading when it comes to thinking differently than others.
Revolutionary Pleasure of Thinking for Yourself and Arthur Schopenhauer's Essay called Thinking for Oneself is the only literature that I have seen in the past week that really spoke to me, and poses the question that I have right now. Any help or comments are well appreciated and big "Thanks!" in advance.
To know one's limits is wise, and to reach to learn them is excellent. If you recognize that you aren't capable of achieving something on your own yet believe the achievement to be worthwhile, ask others to help you. Asking for advice is not detestable: it allows you to grow, which is always a good goal. You did good by reaching out and asking for help with this: a self-enclosed system won't allow for new information to come in, and new experiences is how you learn to do better.
What will help you most in achieving critical thinking is exercise. Whenever you hear something, ask yourself whether it's true or however reliable the information source is. Check the information up if you have any doubts (unless it's "What if I'm wrong": assume you're right, and act accordingly - if you aren't, you'll know that and learn from it). Look up as much sources as you can, and form your opinion based on all of them, not just on those that conform to your view of the world.
Don't be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions, whether you're asking yourself or others. Be honest with yourself and with others. Accept what you see and not what you'd like to see. It's fine to not feel good about something. It's not fine to beat yourself up about it (it stems from you wanting to please others rather than act on your own agends; don't), nor is it fine to rage at reality for not fitting your image of it (the coffee machine will not work any quicker, no matter how many times you ask it to, yell at it to or beg it to - it's not how reality works, and you know it).
Speak your mind, and don't let anyone stop you from that. That being said, there are times when silence is much more valuable. You'll know it when you see it; try and learn. You'll make mistakes along the way; this is what we all did and what we all will do - those are going to be simply other kinds of mistakes. This is how every person got to learn what they know - through trying and, most often, failing. Trust your gut to learn, and act upon what you think is best. There is no right choice, nor is there a wrong one: just those choices that propel you towards or away from your goals (and, sometimes, towards the goals you didn't know you'd like to take up on - such is life).
Wayward wind to your journey. You got to the right place to discuss things: Hubski has a good atmosphere. Don't do what I did - don't think it's all about you and your ego - and you'll find friends here just fine.