The Right Stuff: Critical thinking, common sense key to thriving republic

By Jim McCully: The Right Stuff: June 6,2022 Critical thinking and common sense are foundational for a successful life as thoughts drive emotions, not the other way around.

I believe many older adults can remember admonitions from parents, teachers and other authority figures throughout our lives urging us to think critically before we acted. This concept was reinforced and reiterated constantly. I can still hear my mom in my head when I would say all the other kids were doing whatever dumb kid thing it was. She would look at me and say, “Boy, if the other kids jumped off the Douglas bridge, would you?”

Therefore, thinking and common sense are actually foundational for a successful life as we were taught to face life as it is not as we might wish it to be.

There can be little argument with thinking things through, whether it’s done critically or by appealing to common sense.[...read more]