The 10 commandments of good thinking

The level of critical thinking in the community I reside has never failed to amaze me. In fact, as I continue to study philosophy, politics and human nature in general, the more forlorn the hope that one fine day one of my peers might actually raise a valid objection to something other than what is thrown at them by the media.

Don't get me wrong, we are all prone to sloppy reasoning, confirmation bias and other logical fallacies, the important thing is to remember that even those of us that profess clear-mindedness and reasoned thought fall foul of the very misconceptions we seek to undermine.

Critical thinking is possibly the single most important tool the thoughtful person has available to him, but we should be mindful to apply it equally to our own cogitations as much as we do in reaction to other's positions.

Philosopher and senior lecturer at Heythrop College in the University of London, Stephen Law has highlighted a post by kungfuhobbit that lays out the 10 commandments of good thinking that I would like to share with you here.

1.      Always be able to change your mind. On anything.
2.      Seek out criticism and counterarguments to your views. Subject your beliefs to vicious and relentless attack. Be curious how you might be wrong - there may be something you haven’t thought of.
3.      Strength of opinion should be proportional to your investigation and understanding of its criticisms, counterarguments and alternatives. Mild unless you consider yourself an expert.Especially beware certainty.
4.      Doubt everything. Challenge. Criticise. Question what you are told. Ask ‘why?’ Demand evidence.
5.      Go to the primary source. To avoid second-hand distortions. Use language precisely.
6.      Beware being emotionally infused with and attached to an idea. For meaning, purpose, identity, pride, self-worth or in-group belonging. Cultism and attachment make it harder to change your mind in the face of reason.
7.      Beware knee-jerk reactions and opinion formations. Be thorough, hesitant and deliberative. Analyse soberly with thought and reason over gut feeling.
8.      Beware logical fallacies*. Particularly the trinity of appeal to tradition, authority and popularity.
9.      Beware cognitive biases*. Particularly reasoning under uncertainty, groupthink and in-group/out-group tribalism. The hardest test is resistance to conformity with the prevailing opinion in one’s own in-group.
10.  Details matter. Appreciate context, complexity and nuance.

Personally, I feel that each of these 'commandments could be built upon, and if I am so inclined on a slow day, I may do just that. For now though, what are your thoughts on the 10 commandments of good thinking?