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Intellectual Autonomy – verses – Intellectual Conformity
Having a rational control of one’s beliefs, values, and inferences. The ideal of critical
thinking is to learn to think for oneself, to gain command over one’s thought
processes. It entails a commitment to analysing and evaluating beliefs on the basis of
reason and evidence, to question when it is rational to question, to believe when it is
rational to believe, and to conform when it is rational to conform.
Intellectual Integrity – verses – Intellectual Hypocrisy
Recognition of the need to be true to one’s own thinking; to be consistent in the
intellectual standards one applies; to hold one’s self to the same rigorous standards
of evidence and proof to which one holds one’s antagonists; to practice what one
advocates for others; and to honestly admit discrepancies and inconsistencies in
one’s own thought and action.
Intellectual Perseverance – verses – Intellectual Laziness
Having a consciousness of the need to use intellectual insights and truths in spite of
difficulties, obstacles and frustrations; firm adherence to rational principles despite
the irrational opposition of others; a sense of the need to struggle with confusion and
unsettled questions over an extended period of time to achieve deeper
understanding or insight.
Confidence in Reason – verses – Distrust of Reason and Evidence
Confident that, in the long run, one’s own higher interests and those of humankind at
large will be best served by giving the freest play to reason, by encouraging people to
come to their own conclusions by developing their own rational faculties; faith that,
with proper encouragement and cultivation, people can learn to think for themselves,
to form rational viewpoints, draw reasonable conclusions, think coherently and
logically, persuade each other by reason and become reasonable persons, despite
the deep-seated obstacles in the native character of the human mind and in society
as we know it.
Fairmindedness – verses – Intellectual Unfairness
Having a consciousness of the need to treat all viewpoints alike, without reference to
one’s own feelings or vested interests, or the feelings or vested interests of one’s
friends, community or nation; implies adherence to intellectual standards without
reference to one’s own advantage or the advantage of one’s group.