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Parker's Pensées

Ep. 252 - It's OK Not to Think for Yourself? w/Dr. Jon Matheson

Nov 21, 2023
Dr. Jon Matheson, philosopher and author of "Why It's OK Not to Think for Yourself," joins the podcast to discuss the concept of thinking for oneself. They explore the balance between epistemic autonomy and deference to others' beliefs, the acceptability of not thinking for oneself, and the importance of deferring to experts in certain areas. The podcast also dives into the role of self-knowledge, the significance of intellectual responsibility, and the idea that a paper can always be improved.
01:10:24

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Deferring to experts and relying on their knowledge is acceptable and efficient in many areas of life.
  • Finding the right balance between deference and independent thinking is important based on the context and subject matter.

Deep dives

The Importance of Thinking for Yourself

Thinking for yourself is often seen as crucial and essential to personal growth and intellectual development. However, this podcast challenges that notion by arguing that it is okay to not always think for yourself. The host and guest discuss the idea that in many areas of life, it is perfectly acceptable and even efficient to defer to experts and rely on their knowledge and expertise. It is emphasized that this does not diminish one's intellectual capabilities or diminish personal growth. The focus is on the idea that as long as there are better ways and experts available to provide answers and insights, it is not necessary to engage in extensive independent thinking.

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