Willful Ignorance and the Death Knell of Critical Thought

ABSTRACT

Independent, critical thought has never been more important in the United States. In the Age of Trump, political officials spout falsehoods called “alternative facts” as if they were on equal footing with researchable, scientific data. At the same time, an unquestioning populace engages in acts of “willful ignorance” on a daily basis to support their unfounded beliefs. In order to create a generation of independent, cognizant, and critical citizens, this nation’s students must be taught to think dialectically in the classroom. Then, and only then, will people be able to assess important issues for themselves in order to engage in a truly democratic society.

Notes

¹ As characterized by Edwards (2011) as “an understanding of education and its relation to history and society” (p. 53).

² The six major stereotypes by Berg (2002) bridge the stages of analyze and historicize, as he addresses current roles as well as how they have been played throughout history. Therefore, the four stages of dialectical thinking are not static and can be approached in various ways.

³ All student names are pseudonyms.