How to Deal With Biased Sources

Time is the great enemy of many things, including critical thinking. We just don't have time to think deeply about everything that crosses our path.

When it comes to the news, my opinion is that we should look at sources from the left, the right, and the center. If they all basically agree on a particular story you can be pretty confident of that information.

If they disagree on an issue that is NOT that important to you, then save your time, just accept there is a disagreement, and let it go.

If they disagree on an issue that IS important to you then GET TO WORK:

1. Analyze the articles line-by-line.
2. Where you find insults and jokes ignore them. They have no intellectual value unless they imply an argument in which case see below on arguments.
3. Where you find opinions accept them as examples of freedom of speech and move on. Opinions also have little intellectual value unless they imply an argument in which case see below on arguments.
4. Where you find factual statements verify them. Is there some authoritative source you can check? Can you check multiple sources and reach a conclusion that way? Facts are things you DO NOT argue about, facts are things you LOOK UP.
5. Where you find arguments analyze them. What are the premises? Are they true? What is the conclusion? Does the conclusion logically follow from the premises? If yes explain why the argument is sound. If not then then expose the error in the argument. If you think you have a counter-argument construct it and share it to see if anyone can shoot it down.

What you should never, never, never do when you encounter something you disagree with is call it biased and ignore it. That is lazy and ignorant. It ensures you will not learn anything yourself and you will not help anyone else learn anything.

Thinking is important. Let's do it!

***

[Here is an excellent book on critical thinking. I hope you will buy it and hone your skills.

If you want to support "Anything Smart" just click on book links like the one below to buy your books. "Anything Smart" will receive a commission. Thanks!]

Copyright © 2016 by Joseph Wayne Gadway