Critical Self-Consciousness

[coberst]

Critical Self-Consciousness

I once asked a professor of philosophy what is philosophy about, she said “philosophy is about radically critical self-consciousness”. I have decided that CT (Critical Thinking) is the first important step on to this stage of critical self-consciousness. CT is philosophy light.

Our mind tends to be dominated by the ego and the group when we have not yet become critically self-conscious. I am not an expert in these matters (such has never hindered me from expressing my considered opinion) but from the things I read regarding critical self-consciousness they make sense to me.

Ego influences me by:
I think it is true therefore it is.
I want it to be true therefore it is.

Group influences me by:
The group name identifies me.
The group influences my associations.
The group is us and the other group is them.
What we do is good what they do is bad.

I suspect that the ego domination was the natural human condition during early evolution and slowly the ego morphed (transformed) into a group in some areas of consciousness (focused attention).

I think that Madison Avenue (advertising agencies) and the oligarchy (non elective group running the nation in that group’s interest) have learned to manipulate our egocentric and sociocentric characteristics for the advantages of marketing interests. Our ego drives us to buy the BIG car and our group drives us to dominate the other group in the interest of our group.

‘To be critical’ is often, I think, confused with ‘to be negative’. To be critical is to stop, think, analyze, and seek comprehension and possible improvement. To be critically self-conscious is to focus the critical effort inward with the self as the object of criticism.

I think that most of our personal and international tragedies are a direct result of our lack of critical self-consciousness.

Is that a ‘bunch of baloney’ or do you find truth contained therein?

I think that we can do a much better job building a better society if we developed a critical self-consciousness. What do you think?

[SpringRain]

Looks like you have primarily expounded on the obvious. Unfortunately even for those "see" what you mention; the trap of ego/sociocentricity and the ploys used to manipulate us (all humans not just US) continue to work and will likely continue to work on most. Those that it doesn't work on generally are loners that lack group mentality and often are extremely self-critical.

The part you have bolded is a problem I deal with a lot. I consider "critical thinking" to be positive because by critically thinking one can locate and prepare for problems and such; but as you note, instead of being received as critical thinking it is usually received as "negative" thinking. I would be so rich if I received a nickel for everytime I could've said "I told you so" to folks that told me to quit with the "negative" thinking and just float with the flow; but unfortunately for them, they should've listened because then the critiques would have been addressed instead of swept out of sight to fester and ultimately causing major setbacks.
Critical thinking is NOT negative thinking in the way most would like to treat it. I think we would have a much better society if we got off the "Thumper's Rule" train and were encouraged and taught how to think critically and to express what we think without being pegged "Debbie Downer" to be ignored and harangued.

[coberst]

Spring Rain

Our society is strongly biased against intellectual activity. I think that those of us who comprehend the importance of becoming intellectually sophisticated must constantly make people aware of their anti-intellectualism, it is unhealthy for our nation and for the world.