Questioning Dogmas and Embracing Critical Thinking

1min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

The author wrote the book to explore the shift in their thinking from dogmatism to critical thinking, questioning new information and ideas rather than blindly accepting truths. They learned from the rhetorical tradition, aiming not to replace one set of dogmas with another but to encourage questioning and openness in thought. The author criticizes the current trend of polarization based on dogmatic beliefs, highlighting the need to address real social and political issues with open-mindedness and collective effort for the well-being of society.

Robin Reames breaks down the major techniques of rhetoric, pulling back the curtain on how politicians, journalists, and “journalists” convince us to believe what we believe—and to talk, vote, and act accordingly.

Understanding these techniques helps us avoid being manipulated by authority figures who don’t have our best interests at heart. It also grants us rare insight into the values that shape our own beliefs.

Reames and Shermer discuss: rhetoric vs. facts (rhetorical truths vs. empirical truths) • the point of reason (to understand reality or to persuade?) • Canons of rhetoric: invention, arrangement, style, memory, delivery • bullshitters vs. liars • induction and deduction • rhetorical, ideological, and metaphorical thinking • how to debate contentious issues

Robin Reames is associate professor of English at the University of Illinois at Chicago, specializing in rhetorical theory and the history of ideas. Her new book is The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times.

SPONSOR: everything-everywhere.com