The Thinker's Way
by John Chaffee
The dust jacket of The Thinker's Way says: "By learning to think clearly, you will be able to focus in a confusing world of information overload, hyperstimulation, and instant gratification." And the table of contents reveals that there are eight, or perhaps nine, steps to accomplishing this in all of the important areas of life.
If this sounds a bit simplistic, that's because TTW sometimes, unfortunately, can be. We actually recommend a reading of Brand Blanshard's far more profound Four Reasonable Men before coming to Chaffee's book. Still, he's writing for a popular audience, and certainly acquiring the understanding Blanshard had of the human condition is a tall order indeed. One must begin somewhere, and Chaffee is largely on the right track in providing this "Thinker's manual". Moreover, it offers practical, and sometimes useful, tips for living life more reflectively, thinking more clearly, and achieving the ends of life more successfully. Like Blanshard, he rightly puts clear thinking at the very center of the stage.
The Ghost of Existentialism Past
Chaffee has adopted an approach to teaching (and writing) which can trace its ancestry to the educational theories of American philosopher John Dewey. And Dewey in turn can be reminiscent of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Briefly, the student is to be given as much freedom as possible, and learning is to be accomplished via a hands-on approach to the greatest extent possible. This approach dovetails well with the worldview of the Existentialists, who also emphasize individual liberty. (Chaffee's foremost personal influence would seem to be Humanistic/Existentialist psychologist Victor Frankl; and the presence of the principal Existentialist philosophers is felt throughout.)
His book is full of hands-on exercises he calls "thinking activities," as well as numerous self-assessments. Sometimes these are quite good, sometimes they're a little superficial and unhelpful. Part of one exercise asks "Do you believe in God?" But then, having raised the question, it's immediately abandoned without a trace of guidance.
Ultimately, what Chaffee wants his readers to do is not only think clearly and critically, but to also develop a life philosophy. This, of course, could hardly be more commendable. Every thinking individual can do no less, on pain of living less than a fully human life. Unfortunately, though, there's no "further reading" on offer here. While Chaffee leaves his readers free to come to their own conclusions, and in possession of some useful tools that may help them to do that, they are also very largely left on their own with this profoundly important, yet also profoundly difficult task. Generations of philosophers have not lived in vain: there are some immensely valuable guideposts out there (see our Guide to Philosophy), but nobody could ever accuse Chaffee of forcing anything down anyone's throat, and it isn't clear whether he's aware of those philosophers himself.
On our analysis a life philosophy is comprised of three parts: a morality, or theory of how one ought to treat others; a theory of life purpose, a view of what it is important to do, to experience, and to avoid in life; and an ideal of human character, or theory of what sort of person one might want to become. Though there is value in Chaffee's exercises and self-assessments, these components are really only vaguely gestured at in TTW.
But at least they are gestured at. In America, books that do even this much are exceptionally rare. And while TTW is certainly no place to stop, it does offer an unintimidating place to begin.
Quotations
We like to offer some excepts in order to allow the author to speak for himself or herself, and to also provide some of the flavor of the text.
Pgs. 16 - 17
"Pervasive unthinking has a number of sources. People don't work on strengthening their thinking abilities because they simply don't know how to. Recent research and new technology have given us a greater understanding of how the mind works, and we are now in a position to translate this knowledge into strategies for helping people learn to think in more advanced ways, the goal of The Thinker's Way. For example, one recent study concluded that people's thinking and language abilities are directly correlated with how often they were spoken to during their first year of life, stimulating the development of neurological pathways. Another study found that the incidence of Alzheimer's is directly related to the complexity of the language syntax used earlier in life. Research cited by Marie Winn demonstrates that watching television at the expense of reading discourages active thinking; diminishes the imagination; inhibits the ability to think abstractly and perform complex symbolic transformations; damages the ability to concentrate; and can become addictive by causing brain changes analogous to drug-induced states."
Pgs. 13 - 14
"I am sometimes asked by people, 'Aren't you concerned about what would happen if everyone became a critical thinker?' Let's imagine such a world. It would be a world in which everyone would be thoughtful. They would not act rashly or speak foolishly without thinking. They would be reflective, carefully considering different points of view and thinking deeply about important issues. People would listen to what you had to say and treat your views with respect, and if they disagreed with your point of view, they would explain why by providing intelligent reasons. At work, your boss would provide you with personal support and opportunities to take the initiative, guiding you when you made mistakes, encouraging you to excel, and awarding you full credit for your accomplishments. Your relationships with family members would always be loving and honest, as you worked together harmoniously for common purposes. Your relationship with your romantic partner would be intimate and supportive, expressing deep commitment and emotional honesty. Parents would nurture their children with unconditional love and raise them to have respect for the needs of others. People of all ages would display enlightened values, empathizing with the needs of others and trying to help those less fortunate. Lying, cheating, stealing, personal violence: none of these would exist, replaced instead by kindness, generosity, consideration, goodwill. This would be a world filled with open-minded people who welcomed diverse ideas, customs, and personal differences. Racism, sexism, ageism, all forms of discrimination would be things of the past as all people would be treated with tolerance and consideration.
On a social level, all people would see themselves as members of the same community, with a responsibility for the well-being of all members, not just themselves. Everyone would work together to create a better life for all. Wise and principled political leaders would be elected by a thoughtful citizenry, and they would govern with insight, honesty, and compassion. Children would be educated in a system that encouraged their individual talents and respect their unique value. Television shows would be designed to stimulate thinking and expand understanding, as well as entertain. People on talk shows would express thoughtful, articulate opinions, never stooping to superficial analyses or personal insults. On the road, people would drive with safety and consideration, never letting their anger or desire to get ahead take hold of them at the expense of others. When people did make mistakes, they woud always accept responsibility, never trying to blame others. Those who violated the law would be tried by juries who were astute thinkers, weighing the evidence judiciously and reaching fair-minded and well-supported verdicts.
On a personal level, you would be confident of your place in society, taken seriously by others who respected your special qualities. People would treat you with consideraton, and you would reciprocate with feelings of goodwill overwhelming any doubts or suspicions. You would think the best of people, and they would respond in kind. You would live your life under what philosophers used to call "the aspect of eternity," reflecting on the prupose of your existence and your connections to humanity and the universe. When working with others, your productive discussions would always move toward the most logical and informed conclusions."
Pg. 15
"It's painfully obvious that we don't live in the 'thinking world' just described, and we suffer the consequences of this every day of our lives. Rather than cultivating the habit of thoughtfulness, people are chronically thoughtless. They often act rashly and speak foolishly, advancing ignorant opinions with supreme confidence. They frequently don't listen to what you have to say, instead focusing on their own ideas. At work, bosses typically give too little credit, and too much blame, failing to respect adequately you or your ideas. Family relationships tend to be competitive and contentious, and romantic relationships often turn into a viper's tangle of resentment and suspicion or impersonal disaffection. Many parents have difficulty raising their children well, depriving them of sufficient love, attention, or guidance.
We live in a world full of closed-minded and dogmatic people, convinced they are always right. Our society has suffered a decline in values, an environment in which telling the truth, acting honestly, and treating people decently have been sacrificed in the name of the bottom line or 'success.' Discriminatory attitudes toward virtually every group are commonplace, and are rivaled only by people trying to gain advantage by casting themselves as victims. Our society has become increasingly factionalized, led by pandering and often corrupt politicians who magnify these divisions for their own purposes. Children are forced to endure an educational system that is often more concerned with the transfer of information than with genuine learning, a system that emphasizes conformity over personal development. We are inundated with mindless television shows, virulent hate-talk on the radio, music played too loud to let yourself think. We are forced to deal daily with people who are irrational, disorganized, confused, and inarticulate. In many respects we are experiencing the answer to the question: 'What happens when people live in an unthinking way?'"
Conclusion
Pgs. 406 - 407
"The purpose of this book has been to serve as a guide for your personal journey of self-discovery and self-transformation. Its intention ha been not to provide you with answers, but rather to equip you with the thinking abilities, conceptual tools, and personal insights to find your own answers. Each "Step" has addressed an essential dimension of human experience, and the issues they raise form a comprehensive blue-print for your life, a life that you wish to be clear in purpose and rich in meaning."
