Beyond Feelings - Vincent Ruggiero.original_ [24]
Furthermore, our readiness to accept uncritically those who appeal to our preconceived notions leaves us vulnerable to those who would manipulate us for their own purposes. Historians tell us that is precisely whey Hitler succeeded in winning control of Germany and very nearly conquering the world.
"Mine is better" thinking is the most basic problem for critical thinkers because, left unchecked, it can both distort perception and corrupt judgment.
There are two helpful ways to control "mine is better thinking. The first is to remember that, like everyone else, we are prone to it and that its influence will be strongest when the subject is one that we really care about. As G. K. Chesterton observed,
We are exact and scientific on the subjects we do not care about. We all immediately detect exaggeration in an exposition of Mormonism or a patriotic speech from Paraguay. We all require sobriety on the subject of the sea serpent. But the moment we begin to believe in a thing ourselves, that moment we begin easily to overstate it; and that moment our souls become serious, our words become a little wild.4
The second way to control "mine is better" thinking is to be alert for signals of its presence. Those signals can be found both in our feelings and in our thoughts:
In feelings: Very pleasant, favorable sensations, the desire to embrace a statement or a argument immediately, without appraising it further. Or very unpleasant, negative sensations, the desire to attack and denounce a statement or argument without delay.
In thoughts: Ideas such as "I'm glad that experts are taking such a position – I've thought it all along" and "No use wasting time analyzing this evidence – it must be conclusive." Or ideas such as "This view is outrageous because it challenges what I have always thought – I refuse to consider it."
Whenever you find yourself reacting this way, you can be reasonably sure you are being victimized by "mine is better" thinking. The appropriate response is to resist the reaction and force yourself to consider the matter fair-mindedly.
APPLICATIONS
Recall an occasion when you observed someone demonstrating one or more of the characteristics of ethnocentrism in his or her behavior. Describe the occasions, the way in which the characteristics were revealed, and the effect they had on the person's judgment.
Compose a summary of this chapter for the person whose ethnocentrism you described in application 1. make it as persuasive as you can for that person. That is, focus on the particular occasion of his or her "mine is better" thinking and the effects of that thinking on his or her judgment.
Think of two illustrations of your own "mine is better" thinking. Describe that thinking and the way in which you first became aware of it. If you can, determine what caused you to develop that way of thinking.
State and support your position on each of the following issues. Be sure to recognize and overcome our "mine is better" tendencies and base your response on critical thinking.
Carl F. Henry, a leading evangelical theologian, warns that the widespread attitude that there are no moral standards other than what the majority approves is a threat to our country. The survival of democratic society, he suggests, depends on recognizing definite moral standards, such as the biblical criteria of morality and justice.5
Allen B. Ballard, Professor of Political Science at City College of New York, argues that Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn should not be taught in high school classes because hearing "nigger" read aloud often causes acute embarrassment to black students. He reasons, "Why should a learning experience intended to make children love literature instead end up inflicting pain upon black children?" He suggests the book be used as an optional choice for additional reading in high school or deferred until college.6
A Hasidic rabbi serving a three-year