I enjoyed reading Alan Jacobs’s How To Think (US) (UK). Jacobs could have worked through a list of logical fallacies, or even of cognitive biases (well-covered in David McRaney’s engaging You Are Not So Smart (US) (UK)). Instead, he’s particularly concerned with civility, open-mindedness, and the ability to let oneself be persuaded by others. The weakness of this approach is that Jacobs is rather thin on some important topics such as evaluating evidence or spotting statistical bullshit. (On this topic Bad Science (US) (UK), by Ben Goldacre MBE, cannot be bettered.)
Still, we could all use some nudges to be civil and open minded. Jacobs offers a checklist of 12 items at the end and I summarise a few here:
- Take five minutes before responding. Walk around the block.
- Don’t argue to win, argue to learn.
- Avoid people who fan flames.
- Don’t feel you have to weigh in on every topic.
- If your peers demand you weigh in, ponder your choice of peers.
- Seek out thoughtful people who disagree with you. Listen.
- Examine your own emotional responses.
- Summarise your opponents’ arguments fairly and thoughtfully.
Good advice; I hope Jacobs would feel my summary of his checklist was fair.
My new book is “Fifty Inventions That Shaped The Modern Economy”. Grab yourself a copy in the US or in the UK (slightly different title) or through your local bookshop.