Independent Thinking

Independent thinking is a rare and unusual phenomenon. It is reserved for a tiny minority, that was able to escape indoctrination and social conditioning by mere chance. I had always considered myself an independent thinker, but recently, I asked myself, what does it mean to be an independent thinker. Is it a state of mind, genetic predisposition or an acquired trait? Are all independent thinkers alike? Is one better than the other?

1) Most social observers agree that people en mass generally seek information that satisfies their existing beliefs. In fact, even purported “truth seekers” seek information in support of their pre-determined belief systems. In the olden days, a young lad would stumble open a thought-provoking opus and become a zealous adept of new teaching. Now, one can shop around on the marketplace of ideas and select a system that feels right to them. The end result is the same.

2)  Whether its Christianity, communism, constitutional republic, conspiracy theories or whatever else it might be. People generally take new information and weed it out through the pre-defined filter. Hence: “What Would Jesus Do” and “Social Justice Warriors”. Both do not tolerate information, ideas or opinions that cut against their grain. Both would kill, steal and destroy for their cause, especially if the existing system offers protection and encouragement. Think of Jesuits running counterreformation movement in the Middle Ages and a neo-liberal hunt for right-wingers today.

3) Being open to new information is not the same as being open to indoctrination. I remember many years ago when I was exploring Christianity and myriad of its sects, the members of these churches were so welcoming. The reason was simple — I was open to hearing them out. It was true. I was open to hear and think about their version of the gospel. However, at the end of the day, I couldn’t help but critically analyze what I heard. Like vampires are scared of the light, so are faithful scared of the light of scrutiny. As you may rightfully conclude, that exploration phase didn’t last too long.

What is an independent thinking?

Independent thinking is a state of mind and willingness and ability to change when exposed to new information. Furthermore, independent thinking cannot be encapsulated into an absolutist or fundamentalist frame of mind. It is fluid, yet firm. It is agile, yet thinks before change. It is nimble, yet critical.  It is boundless, yet knows its limits.  It is absorbent, yet knows how to eat meat and spit out the bones.

Swiss philosopher Denis de Rougemont once said that Devil loves extremes. Ironically, the word democracy comes from the root word “demos” — common people. (As a side note, the word idiot in Greek and Latin also means a common man or the one who does not hold an official office.)

The mass always goes with the flow and rides with the tide. When its Christian time, they burn someone who looks “different” at the stake. When its Communist time, they snitch on their neighbors for having more bread and have them sent to the labor camp. When its liberal time, they throw a tantrum when a nanny state does not give what they want. Of course, any historian or sociologist knows that it is an active minority that instigates the crowd, but it is a sizable crowd that places the last seal to convert revolutionary changes into a permanent shape of things.

Given this understanding, an independent thinker might emerge as a neutral observer or a calculative strategist who learns how to come out unscathed through changes or a forward-thinking realist who will side with the winning team at the ripe time.

Regardless of their vocation in society, independent thinkers are not defined by their political or social cause but they are exemplified through a continuous exercise of their mind, heart, and soul.