The Art of Thinking

In this short, entertaining book, Alan Jacobs gives us a course on how to think. First he dispels some of the myths about thinking. Thinking is more art than science. You can’t really think for yourself. You’re not as good at evaluating ideas as you’d like to think you are.

Perhaps for me the most important point he makes is the importance of listening. He talks about a debating society where instead of immediately refuting the argument made by the other side, they have to first restate what the other side is trying to say. If you can do this, you’re on your way to understanding what you opponent is saying.

Throughout the books he tells stories to illustrate his points. My favorite, and I think it’s his also, is about a woman whose church hated homosexuals to the point that she got a social media account to spread their views. In the course of this, she met a man who had different views. Through their discussions, she came to see him as an individual and it changed her outlook to the point where she couldn’t wholeheartedly embrace the views of her church.

At the end of the book he gives a useful list for how to improve your thinking. Taking five minutes to cool off in the heat of an argument is one of my favorites. I highly recommend this book. There is so much information today that it’s often hard to really think, but Jacobs book offers good suggestions for how to become a better thinker.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.