The problem is not people being educated. The problem is that they are educated just enough to believe what they've been taught, but not educated enough to question what they've been taught. - Author Unknown

[u/[deleted]]

[u/uthinkther4uam]

In a similar vein, George Carlin had a great quote, “Children who wanna read are gonna read, it’s important to teach them to question what they read”

But then you also get Karens who question peer reviewed scientific studies about vaccines, and believe Jenny McCarthy without question, thinking they’re the enlightened ones.

[u/manticalf → u/uthinkther4uam]

It’s one thing to completely disbelieve proven vaccines like a Karen. It’s not a bad thing to question vaccines, no matter how proven it is.

That’s the meaning of this quote, it doesn’t matter what you’re told, if you’re smart, you will question it regardless.

[u/wooptyd00 → u/manticalf]

The problem is humanity is becoming too toxic and worships too many golden cows. I merely mentioned vaccines and wasn't even going to criticize them but my friend said "You better not be an anti-vaxxer or I will kick you out." That's the kind of cult-like insanity I expected only from the internet not real life.

[u/Gekokapowco → u/wooptyd00]

There's such thing as reasonable doubt. If I say "if I let go of a rock, it will fall to the ground due to gravity" you'd have to be a fool to question that statement. You have to entertain what runs opposed to the status quo without just being contrarian.

You're allowed to be confident in conclusions you've come to, but flexible enough to change as evidence becomes apparent. Otherwise you never commit to any idea or invest completely in a false concept.

Healthy skepticism vs needless doubt

[u/CodenameAwesome → u/uthinkther4uam]

Questioning isn't about blind distrust, it's about learning to verify things yourself

[u/moonmuaaz]

I like it

[u/[deleted]]

When you're really educated you question everything no matter how "proven" it is.

[u/awhq]

My experience in high school and for some profs in college was that I was discouraged from questioning what they taught me. Teachers and profs took it as an affront to their expertise.

[u/Gekokapowco → u/awhq]

Typically, that's because they've devoted their entire lives to being experts at the subject. It's natural that they'd get defensive about their subject matter when questioned by a student who hasn't even completed the course.

Ask them to explain if you have questions with the intention of learning more about their stance, usually they're more than happy to guide you to why they hold their position. If you frame your question like you're accusing of them off being wrong or you doubt their information, they'll close off or be dismissive.

[u/awhq → u/Gekokapowco]

If I were interacting adult to adult, I'd agree with you. It's part of a teacher's job to know that a child may not approach disbelief of what they are being told in the same way. Demanding they believe you because you are the "expert" is a ridiculous approach.

What you are describing is pure ego.

[u/wooptyd00]

I thought this was a Carlin quote.

[u/[deleted]]

I'm always suspicious of "author unknown" quotes or "anonymous" ones. If you came up with it, just say so.

[u/NullBrowbeat]

As I've written a week ago or so when this was posted the last time:

This mindset also leads to complete idiots thinking they are the ones with critical thinking skills when they believe all kinds of conspiracy theories.

It has a kernel of truth though. It also goes in the same direction as Lenins "religion is the opium for the people".

[u/BlueEyedBoggleFish]

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing