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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My siblings a college professor.  He says it’s really bad for years and gotten worse.  [b]Critical thought is dead and there is no interest in reviving it.[/b]  It’s bad news[/quote]

That's because we no longer teach kids in a way that makes sense to teach them critical thinking. First stuff their heads with facts in elementary (so they have a basis from which to even begin to think), then teach them logic in middle, then teach the persuasion in high school. [url=https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Tools-Learning-Dorothy-Sayers/dp/1941129862]Dorothy Sayers was right[/url].[/quote]

They're now being taught persuasive writing in elementary school.  That's one of the things that is leading to all these unintended consequences.  Research is no longer about gathering general information that then gets analayzed.  Research nowadays is entirely about finding support for the argument they come up with first.[/quote]

And typically, their feelings are used as evidence...[/quote]

In my kids' public school district at least, kids are taught to use research sources far sooner than they ever were in decades before.  And in addition to persuasive writing they are taught analysis of sources.  I think all the complainers need to actually look at the evidence in the curriculum before making unsupported blanket statements.[/quote]

We used research sources just as early back in the day.  The two differences, besides the practical one of internet versus books, is that there is now an emphasis on citations and the writing is persuasive instead of analytical.

The issue is that persuasive writing utilizes citations, and research, differently than analytical writing since by its very nature it is viewpoint biased.  Starting with persuasive writing promotes cherry picking sources.  Those of us that have written a lot know that that is the unspoken norm but like many things, eating or not eating vegetables for example, it is something we should be hoping to avoid for as long as possible. The issue therefore isn't the intent but the practical inculcation of bad habits brought about by starting with persuasive writing.

As a secondary issue we are promoting the formation of opinions before any analysis is done.  That is one of the biggest problems with social media, instant reaction and hot takes. The encouragement of opinions without any issue specific understanding.  It creates bad habits by teaching it early.[/quote]

This is not what I'm seeing with my kids in high school and college. [/quote]

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