Critical Thinking:
Process and clarity.
We inherit the past, interpret the present, and shape the future by learning how to think well and live well.
Wisdom Mix.
Here are 5 random key ideas and takeaways.
Idea 1.
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A concrete object is a material thing that exists in reality.
Subject: Material things.
In the material world, a concrete object is a material thing that exists in reality. In the mind, it is represented by an empirical idea. It is something that exists in the world, occupies space and time, and can be observed through the senses or tools. They anchor ideas to the material world. In TST, this matters because ideas often begin with impressions of real things: rocks, trees, bodies, stars, tools, and events. Concrete objects are a key term used to define an idea in TST and give the mind something to observe, compare, label, remember, and connect.
Idea 2.
Quote.
- David Hume.
- 1748.
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Your confidence in an idea, whether scientific or spiritual, should rise with support, not desire.
Subject: Belief.
To live well requires living in reality. A clear thinker does not believe harder just because an idea feels meaningful, familiar, or comforting. Some mysteries deserve wonder, but belief should still be proportional to evidence, logic, testing, and trustworthy guidance. Thinking well means letting confidence grow only when support earns it.
Idea 3.
From History: By 14 Million Years Ago.
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Skin color diversity is far older than humanity. Across many animals, pigmentation varied by species, population, body region, environment, and evolutionary history.
Subject: Ancient adaptive patterns.
Race is a human story placed on top of ancient biology. Skin color came first as adaptation and variation, not as hierarchy. Long before humans invented categories of “us” and “them,” primate bodies were already expressing the simple truth of evolution: life changes as environments change.
Idea 4.
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With the motion of life, cause and effect feel certain. We see stable patterns. But Hume reminds you, correlation does not guarantee causation.
Subject: Causation versus Correlation.
Reasoning asks you to question whether you’re seeing real causation, or just a misleading correlation. Always ask: What’s the evidence? Hume said, repeated observation shows habit, not logical necessity. If a cause exists, find it!
Idea 5.
Quote.
- William Kingdon Clifford.
- 1877.
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Clifford argued that personal belief is a moral responsibility to humanity, not just a private habit. You have a moral obligation to be careful what you believe.
Subject: Belief.
Belief is not just private. What you believe shapes you and the world around you. Although his suggestion is stricter than most like, I think he wants you to treat belief as a responsibility: seek evidence where you can, stay humble where you cannot, and do not let wishful thinking do the work of truth.