Bertrand Russell’s 10 Commandments of Critical Thinking
Essential Knowledge Before Engaging In Any Conversation
1: Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
THE MIND AWAKENED: … unless you have wandered several rabbit holes for years, in which case you will often be proven correct. Remain aware of the side-effect of power and financial ramifications at all times. Avoid polarization and analyze everything from Natural Laws perspectives.
2: Do not think it worthwhile to produce belief by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
TMA: Engage in constructive exchanges related to our societal and dire lack of transparency, and stay away from superficiality as much as possible, so you do not entertain conflicting images of yourself. People need to see you differently. Master yourself by practicing self-discipline and never stopping investigating real knowledge.
3: Never try to discourage thinking, for you are sure to succeed.
TMA: Always welcome new incoming data. Learn to walk sideways instead of embracing a risky position that might make you sound as a denier because that will end the debate very quickly. Preferably, keep asking questions to people who you disagree with instead of imposing your views until they agree that there are indeed serious issues. People must be receptive to your words. Getting their attention is always key.
4: When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
TMA: Always argue from a “voluntary perspective” to avoid the pitfalls of polarization and sound dogmatic. Make sure that when/if you cite a source that the latter expresses a centrist point of view. Right vs Left exchanges are self-defeating.
5: Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
TMA: Never agree with any lawmakers nor any billionaires (top 1%), so you do not have to defend any of them, and this cannot be used against you when debating.
6: Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.
TMA: If you think that the debate is turning into a spin, just exit politely and agree to disagree before resentment takes hold. Then initiate a new conversation a while later with a better approach.
7: Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
TMA: That strategy works well with intermediate knowledge seekers though. With the less educated about world affairs, always use your sense of diplomacy before doing so because when people stop communicating it is not a sign of victory either. It often strengthens the intellectual gap. With the less aware, and if possible, resort to humor, think of George Carlin or Bill Hicks.
8: Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.
TMA: make sure to position yourself as a true freedom advocate so that people will never picture you as controlled opposition. Often choose examples of structural violence to get your point across.
9: Be scrupulously truthful, even when the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.
TMA: release small truths regularly instead of revealing facts that could make you sound outrageous right away… then work your way up, from small truths to bigger truths.
10. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.
TMA: make sure that your attitude and philosophy are nonmaterialistic so you will never get caught defending the indefensible. Do not try to sound too spiritual unless people are open to this level of communication.
