The Critical Thinker 005: Philosophical Wisdom

Summary

In episode 5 of the Critical Thinker podcast, host Kevin de la Plante delves into the significance of critical thinking for philosophical wisdom. He distinguishes philosophical wisdom, which is rooted in rational argumentation, from wisdom derived from religion or mysticism. De la Plante emphasizes the indispensable role of logic and argumentation in philosophy, akin to mathematics in physics, and suggests that critical thinking is foundational for understanding and contributing to philosophical discourse.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The podcast 'Critical Thinker' is hosted by Kevin de la Plante, a philosophy teacher at Iowa State University, who explores the existential aspects of critical thinking.
• 🌐 The website 'criticalthinkingtutorials.com' offers video tutorials and blogs on logic, argumentation, and critical reasoning.
• 🤔 The podcast delves into why critical thinking is important, discussing its value for individual self-interest, social and political values, and philosophical wisdom.
• 📚 Philosophy is defined as the love of wisdom, with wisdom being knowledge of the true and the good, and acting on this knowledge.
• 🧩 The pursuit of wisdom is not exclusive to philosophy; it's also found in religious and mystical traditions, each with its own methods for acquiring wisdom.
• 🔮 Revealed religions obtain wisdom through divine revelation, such as scriptures and direct communication with a divine presence.
• 🌟 Mysticism seeks enlightenment and deep metaphysical truths through practices like meditation, aiming for a transcendent awareness beyond rational ego.
• 🗣️ Philosophical wisdom is distinct, relying on rational argumentation as its primary method, making it a public and social activity.
• 🔄 The dialectic of philosophy involves offering reasons, raising objections, and evolving through discourse, a tradition that continues from ancient Greece to modern times.
• 💡 Critical thinking is foundational to philosophy, with logic and argumentation being as essential as mathematics is to physics.
• ⚖️ The podcast concludes by acknowledging the complexity and diversity within philosophical traditions, without implying superiority or rigid boundaries between approaches to wisdom.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Critical Thinker' podcast?

The main focus of the 'Critical Thinker' podcast is to explore the existential aspects of critical thinking, such as what it means to live an examined life as Socrates suggested, and why critical thinking is important.

What is the host's daytime profession and how does it relate to the podcast?

The host, Kevin de la Plante, teaches philosophy at Iowa State University, which relates to the podcast by providing him with the expertise to discuss critical thinking, logic, and argumentation.

What are the different types of content available on the affiliated website, criticalthinkingtutorials.com?

The website offers video tutorials and a blog on various topics related to logic, argumentation, and critical reasoning, focusing on the technical aspects of these subjects.

Why does the host believe that critical thinking is important for individual self-interest?

In episodes 2 & 3, the host discusses how critical thinking skills can serve individual self-interest by helping people make better decisions and avoid fallacies in their personal lives.

How does critical thinking relate to the maintenance of forms of government that respect human rights and individual freedoms?

In episode 4, the host argues that critical thinking is important for sustaining forms of government that respect human rights and individual freedoms, as it enables citizens to evaluate policies and governance critically.

What is the definition of wisdom as stipulated by the host for the purposes of the podcast?

The host defines wisdom as having knowledge of the true and the good, and acting on the basis of this knowledge, distinguishing it from mere information or empirical facts.

How does the host differentiate philosophical wisdom from revealed wisdom and mystical wisdom?

Philosophical wisdom is acquired through rational argumentation and public discourse, whereas revealed wisdom is given through divine acts in religious traditions, and mystical wisdom is attained through direct intuition or insight often involving disciplined practices like meditation.

What is the 'secret sauce' of philosophical wisdom according to the host?

The 'secret sauce' of philosophical wisdom is rational argumentation, which is a public and social activity central to the philosophical pursuit of wisdom.

Why is critical thinking central to the pursuit of philosophical wisdom?

Critical thinking is central to philosophical wisdom because logic and argumentation are foundational to philosophy, much like mathematics is to physics; without it, one cannot understand or contribute to philosophical discourse.

What are some disclaimers the host offers regarding the relationship between philosophy, religion, and mysticism?

The host clarifies that there are no sharp boundaries between philosophy, religion, and mysticism, and that his discussion does not imply the superiority of one approach over the others, nor does it rule out the possibility of skepticism or the influence of religion and mysticism on philosophical thought.

What is the host's next series about in the podcast?

The host's next series will be about the elements of critical thinking, discussing what should belong in every well-stocked critical thinking toolkit.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Introduction to Critical Thinking and Philosophy

In this introductory paragraph, Kevin de la Plante, the host of the 'Critical Thinker' podcast and a philosophy teacher at Iowa State University, sets the stage for the episode. He introduces the dual focus of his work: teaching technical aspects of logic and argumentation through his website, and exploring the existential facets of critical thinking through the podcast. The podcast delves into the significance of critical thinking, drawing from Socrates' assertion that an unexamined life is not worth living. Kevin aims to discuss why critical thinking is essential, particularly in the context of philosophical wisdom, which he defines as the pursuit of knowledge about truth and goodness, and the ability to act on that knowledge.

05:01

🧠 The Essence of Philosophical Wisdom

Paragraph 2 delves into the concept of wisdom, particularly within the realm of philosophy. Kevin clarifies that wisdom involves more than just empirical knowledge; it encompasses an understanding of the true nature of reality and the intrinsic value of what is good. He distinguishes philosophical wisdom from revealed wisdom, which is received through divine revelation in religious traditions, and mystical wisdom, which is attained through intuitive practices like meditation. The paragraph emphasizes the unique approach of philosophy to wisdom, which relies on rational argumentation and public discourse, a method that has been central to philosophical inquiry from the pre-Socratic philosophers to modern thinkers.

10:01

🔍 The Centrality of Critical Thinking in Philosophy

In the final paragraph, Kevin underscores the indispensable role of critical thinking in the pursuit of philosophical wisdom. He likens the importance of logic and argumentation in philosophy to that of mathematics in physics, suggesting that a grasp of these tools is foundational for understanding and contributing to philosophical discussions. He also acknowledges the diversity within philosophical traditions, noting that while some may challenge or redefine the role of logic and argumentation, they still engage in rational discourse. Kevin concludes by inviting listeners to join him in the next episode, where he will discuss the elements of critical thinking essential for a well-equipped critical thinking toolkit.

Keywords

💡Critical Thinking

Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze and evaluate information objectively, using logic and reason. In the video, it is central to the pursuit of philosophical wisdom and is described as foundational to understanding and contributing to philosophical discourse. The host emphasizes that critical thinking skills are necessary for anyone interested in engaging with philosophical texts and ideas.

💡Examined Life

An 'examined life' is a concept attributed to Socrates, suggesting that one should critically reflect on one's life and actions. The video discusses the importance of living an examined life as a core aspect of philosophical inquiry, where individuals question their beliefs and actions to lead a meaningful existence.

💡Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. In the context of the video, philosophy is defined as the love of wisdom, and it is distinguished from other wisdom traditions by its reliance on rational argumentation and critical thinking.

💡Wisdom

Wisdom, as discussed in the video, involves knowledge of the true and the good, and the ability to act on this knowledge. It is portrayed as a goal of philosophical thinking, where one seeks to understand reality and what is intrinsically valuable, going beyond mere empirical facts or information.

💡Rational Argumentation

Rational argumentation is the process of constructing and evaluating arguments based on reason. The video highlights it as the 'secret sauce' of philosophical wisdom, where philosophers engage in public discourse to present, examine, and refine their beliefs through logical reasoning.

💡Empirical Facts

Empirical facts are facts that can be observed and verified through experience. The video contrasts empirical facts with philosophical wisdom, suggesting that while empirical knowledge is important, wisdom involves a deeper understanding of reality and value.

💡Revealed Wisdom

Revealed wisdom is a type of wisdom that is believed to be given or revealed by a divine or supernatural source. The video distinguishes this from philosophical wisdom, noting that revealed wisdom is not acquired through rational argumentation but through divine acts or revelations.

💡Mysticism

Mysticism refers to the belief in the possibility of direct, personal knowledge of the divine or ultimate reality. In the video, mysticism is contrasted with philosophy, as it often involves direct intuition or insight rather than rational argumentation as a means to achieve wisdom.

💡Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic value is value that something has in itself, not because of its usefulness or its relation to something else. The video discusses the importance of understanding intrinsic value as part of wisdom, where the wise person recognizes what is ultimately good and valuable.

💡Socratic Method

The Socratic method is a form of inquiry and discussion between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to clarify ideas. The video mentions Socrates as a figure who advocated for an examined life and whose method is central to philosophical dialogue.

💡Logic

Logic is the study of the principles of correct reasoning. In the video, logic is presented as a fundamental tool for philosophers, akin to the role of mathematics in physics, essential for constructing and evaluating philosophical arguments.

Highlights

Introduction to episode 5 of the Critical Thinker podcast hosted by Kevin de la Plante.

Kevin de la Plante's day job teaching philosophy at Iowa State University and his work on critical thinking tutorials.

The podcast's focus on the existential aspects of critical thinking and the examined life.

Socrates' quote about the importance of an examined life and its challenges.

The series' aim to discuss why critical thinking matters.

Previous episodes covered critical thinking's role in individual self-interest and social-political values.

This episode's focus on critical thinking's importance for philosophical thinking and wisdom.

Definition of philosophy as the love of wisdom and its pursuit.

Wisdom defined as knowledge of the true and the good, and acting on this knowledge.

Distinction between wisdom and mere information or empirical facts.

The role of rational argumentation in acquiring philosophical wisdom.

Comparison of philosophical wisdom with revealed wisdom from religious traditions.

Contrasting philosophical wisdom with wisdom from mystical traditions and practices.

The centrality of logic and argumentation in philosophy and critical thinking.

The importance of critical thinking skills for understanding and contributing to philosophical discourse.

Disclaimers on the relationship between philosophy, religion, and mysticism, and their overlaps.

Acknowledgment that philosophical wisdom is not necessarily superior to other forms of wisdom.

The possibility of skepticism in the pursuit of philosophical wisdom and its implications.

Diversity of views among philosophers on the role of logic and argumentation.

Upcoming series on the elements of critical thinking and building a critical thinking toolkit.

Transcripts

this is the critical thinker episode 5

hi everyone welcome to episode 5 of the

critical thinker podcast I'm your host

Kevin de la plante my day job I teach

philosophy at Iowa State University but

at night I produce content for this

podcast and the affiliated web site

critical thinking tutorials calm we can

find video tutorials in a blog and

various topics in logic argumentation

and critical reasoning the tutorials on

the web site teach what you might call

the technical parts of logic and

argumentation definitions of key

concepts how to recognize good and bad

logic fallacies and so forth

the focus of this podcast is more than

what you might call the existential

parts for critical thinking what does it

mean to live as Socrates put it an

examined life and why should we try to

Socrates famously said that the

unexamined life is not worth living but

more and more I've come to appreciate

just how challenging and demanding

living an examined life can be it's not

obviously true that the kind of life

that Socrates advocates is as important

and valuable as he thinks it is so in

this first series of episodes what I've

been wanting to do is to talk about this

question why does critical thinking

matter I'm gonna work my way through

some reasons why I think it does matter

in episodes 2 & 3 i talked about how

critical thinking skills can help serve

our individual self-interest in episode

4 i wanted to appeal to more social and

political values and talked about the

importance of critical thinking for

sustaining forms of government that

respect human rights and individual

freedoms today i want to branch out word

again and talk about the importance of

critical thinking for philosophical

thinking and the pursuit of let's call

it philosophical wisdom now much of what

i'm going to say here is probably

obvious to anyone who studied philosophy

but for those who haven't I hope this

will be helpful in understanding what

the study philosophy is all about when

you look at the word philosophy you'll

see that there's two greek roots filo

which means love and Sophia which means

wisdom so philosophy is literally the

love of wisdom and a philosopher is a

lover of wisdom now what do we mean by

wisdom well it's a term that doesn't

have a precise meaning so

saiga discussion I'm just going to

stipulate a meaning that suits our

purposes wisdom I think we can all agree

involves knowledge but we want to

distinguish the knowledge that the wise

person has from mere information or mere

knowledge of empirical facts so here's

my slogan definition to have wisdom is

to have knowledge of the true and the

good and to act wisely is to act on the

basis of this knowledge now this isn't

the only way to define wisdom but it's

helpful for us because it captures

something that's distinctive about

philosophical wisdom the wisdom

associated with philosophical insight or

understanding so let's unpack the slogan

a bit further wisdom involves knowledge

of the true this expression the true

with a capital T is just a shorthand for

a reality the way things actually are

behind-the-scenes wisdom also involves

knowledge of the good and by that I mean

knowledge of what has intrinsic value

and therefore worth pursuing for its own

sake I'm actually using this as an

umbrella term for anything inhabited

with values and ultimate goals so

putting this all together the wise

person has knowledge of reality the way

things really are and knowledge of what

is ultimately good and valuable and is

willing and able to act and make

decisions in accordance with this

knowledge so the philosopher I'm

suggesting is someone who loves and

pursues this kind of wisdom but we can't

be done yet because if we just leave it

at this then there are lots of people

who would qualify as philosophers who we

wouldn't normally want to place in this

category philosophy as a discipline is

devoted to the pursuit of wisdom but

it's not the only game in town there are

other professions other disciplines

other intellectual traditions that are

also in the wisdom game who claim to

have wisdom to have a deep knowledge of

the true and the good when thinking here

specifically of two traditions one is

the tradition of Western religion that

focuses on revelation as the primary

means of acquiring wisdom in this

tradition and here I'm trying to be

specific in the tradition of revealed

religion wisdom is given to human beings

it's revealed to us through divine acts

like the divinely inspired writing of

texts like the books of the old and new

Testament Bibles or the Quran or

sometimes through visions

personal communication with a divine

presence of some kind either way human

beings themselves aren't responsible for

this wisdom human beings didn't work it

out for themselves by deliberation and

reason it's delivered to us now in this

context we wouldn't describe this wisdom

as philosophical wisdom as a product of

philosophical reflection so we should

distinguish this sort of revealed wisdom

from the wisdom that might be obtained -

philosophical inquiry

now the other wisdom tradition that I'm

thinking of is the one we associate with

various forms of mysticism now I'm not

comfortable generalizing and lumping

together all forms of mysticism but for

our purposes I sort of have to but all

I'm talking about is those traditions

where the goal is some form of

enlightenment an awareness of deep

metaphysical truths and this

enlightenment is experienced as a form

of direct intuition or insight a

conscious awareness of a deep ultimate

transcendent reality and where the

methods for attaining the state of

awareness don't involve primarily

rational argumentation but rather

various forms of disciplined practice

like meditation or other ways of getting

in mind to transcend the rational ego so

that your mind becomes suitably

receptive to this a rational not

irrational but a rational awareness the

wisdom that comes out of this tradition

I want to say should be distinguished

from the wisdom that comes from

philosophical reflection so what exactly

is the secret sauce that makes for

philosophical wisdom well in a nutshell

the secret sauce is rational

argumentation in philosophy the primary

means by which wisdom is acquired is

through rational argumentation which is

an inherently public and social activity

someone offers reasons for holding a

belief these reasons are presented in

some public way through speech or

writing so that anyone could in

principle examine them and assess them

objections raised replies are offered

and so on and the dialectic evolves over

time this is the tradition that begins

with the pre-socratic at greek

philosophers this is the tradition that

flourishes with Socrates and Plato and

Aristotle this is the tradition that

continues into the medieval era with

Augustine and AH Sam and Aquinas and

many others this is the tradition

associated

the writings of Descartes Leibniz

Spinoza Locke Berkeley Hume cat Hegel

Nietzsche rustle of Icahn Stein and so

on up to the present day there may not

be much that all these philosophers

agree upon

but argumentation is central to their

methodology logic argumentation are

central among the tools that

philosophers use to construct and

evaluate their views so having said all

that let's go back to our main question

what is the relationship of critical

thinking to the pursuit of philosophical

wisdom and the answer is its central to

the pursuit of philosophical wisdom

logic and argumentation are key elements

of critical thinking it's like asking

what is the role of mathematics and the

practice of physics the answer is

everything it's foundational mathematics

is the language through which the claims

of physical theories are expressed logic

and argumentation and critical thinking

are two philosophy what mathematics is

to physics if you're ignorant of the

former then you simply can't understand

what's going on in the latter much less

contribute to it so that's my final word

on the importance of critical thinking

if you have any interest in reading or

understanding what philosophers have

written and said about the big questions

then you'll need to acquire some basic

critical thinking skills and if you want

to think critically and independently

about the big questions for yourself

it's unavoidable

now before I wrap up this episode I'm

gonna offer a few disclaimers and

qualifications since I know if I leave

it here I'll get jumped on especially by

my YouTube audience who usually don't

let anything slip by number one nothing

that I've said here implies sharp

boundaries between philosophy religion

and mysticism in each of these you'll

find overlap and interpenetration there

are philosophical traditions in every

branch of Western religion Judaism and

Christianity and Islam that focus on

argumentation there are philosophical

traditions in every branch of Eastern

religion there are also mystical

traditions within every branch of

Western religion and there are plenty of

philosophers within the Western

tradition that have been influenced by

various forms of revealed religion or

mysticism nothing that I've said here

implies anything to the contrary

number two nothing I've said here

implies that the philosophical approach

to wisdom is superior to the religious

or the mystical or that the

philosophical approach is in

compatible with revealed religion or

mysticism that may or may not be true

and we'll talk more about this in later

episodes but I'm just saying that

nothing I've said here entails a

position on this one way or another

number three nothing that I've said here

implies any particular philosophical

position on any particular question in

particular it doesn't rule out various

forms of skepticism it may be that the

rational pursuit of wisdom leads us to

conclude that our knowledge of the true

and the good is extremely limited that

we can't know the true and the good with

any certainty but that too would be a

kind of wisdom wouldn't it the wisdom of

knowing that you don't know and maybe

can't know this kind of thinking has a

long and venerable pedigree in

philosophy too but there's no need to

prejudge such questions

I promise we'll talk more about this in

later episodes too and finally number

four nothing I said here implies that

all philosophers have the same views

about the role and importance of logic

and argumentation in philosophy there

are some philosophical traditions that

want to problematize logic itself and

some that view the goal of philosophy is

something quite different from the

search for wisdom in any traditional

sense of that word but I really don't

think the existence of these sorts of

philosophical traditions undermines much

of what I've said here philosophers who

hold these critical positions typically

don't go around saying that they came to

them and through some mystical insight

or by the revealed Word of God they hold

these positions because they've thought

about them they've subjected them to

rational scrutiny and they try to

convince others through rational

discourse of one form or another and in

this respect we're all playing on the

same field if not always following the

same rules okay that wraps up the show

I'd like to thank you for listening if

you're catching this on iTunes or

watching if you're viewing the video

version on youtube if you're an iTunes

listener and would like to see the video

version go to youtube and search for my

youtube user ID which is philosophy

freak all one word and you'll find all

the podcasts in a playlist on my youtube

channel if you're watching on youtube

and would like to subscribe to the audio

version on itunes and download episodes

to your mp3 player just search for the

critical thinker in iTunes and you'll

find it next episode I'm starting a new

series

all the elements of critical thinking

where I'll talk about what I think

should belong in every well-stocked

critical thinking toolkit