CT Culture and Mindset (What)

CT Mindset

This refers to those (values, beliefs, practices, and such) that are common among people who excel in CT.

Mindset shapes how we think, feel, and act, making each of us unique. It encompasses our beliefs, values, attitudes, and motivations, among other factors. Simply put, our mindset defines who we are and drives our behavior.

While mindset refers to the internal world of an individual, culture is what makes each group unique. A culture is the set of {beliefs, values, practices, symbols, language, history, stories, and so on} that are shared or held in common by members of a group.

CT Culture

This refers to those values, beliefs, practices, and such that are common in a group in which CT practiced with a high level of quality.

Rationale

Here are some reasons why the mindset elements should be adapted and adopted.

1. Individual
   1. If you adopt the (beliefs, values, practices, and so on) of those who excel at CT, you will minimize the time and work needed before you can excel.
   2. If you reject these (beliefs, values, practices, and so on), it is not likely that you will be able to engage in CT in an effective way.
2. Group
   1. If the people in a group adopt the (beliefs, values, practices, and so on) of those who excel at CT this sets the group up for these outcomes:
      1. Best results
      2. Collaboration that feels like being in the best family
      3. Respect for the group and the individual
         1. This is like the famous quote from Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”: “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.”

CT Mindset and Culture (How To)

Individuals: Find role models and excel at CT. Figure out their (beliefs, values, practices, and so on) and adopt and adapt them for yourself.

Groups: Those with social power in the group should adopt and adapt CT (beliefs, values, practices, and so on) and hold themselves accountable for practicing CT in everything. Those with power should ensure that other group members are mentored in CT. Those who are oppositional to CT should be encouraged to find other groups because they won’t fit in.

Note: Improving mindset and culture require lengthy time periods: months and years. So be patient. The main method is Reflective Thinking (RT)

Elements of CT Mindset/Culture

Here are some of the (beliefs, values, practices, and so on) of people who excel at CT. This list is subjective. That is, it represents my opinions and priorities.

1. Ethics:

   1. Know and follow (universal moral values)[Haidt’s Universal Moral Values]
   2. Avoid spreading misinformation.
      1. Fact check information before you communicate it
   3. Avoid manipulating others
   4. Know and following professional ethics.
   5. Know and group values: family values, company values, etc.

2. Truth Focus:

   1. Care about what is right, not about being right.
   2. Chang your beliefs when the evidence merits it.
   3. Continually seek ways to do things better.

3. Being Open:

   1. Respecting others
      1. This is a person I can learn from.
      2. Especially
         1. Those you violently disagree with
         2. Those with different social classes
   2. Listening skillfully

4. Being Careful

   1. Continually being skeptical of self
      1. Being one’s own worst critic
   2. Double and triple checking things. Triangulating.
      
   3. Asking others to review your work.
   4. Fact checking.
   5. Cite sources.

5. Being Humble

   1. Speak softly.
   2. Avoid aggression: dogmatism, strong assertions, and such
   3. Speak in ways that minimize conflict and argument. Here are some examples.
      1. “It seems to me that …”
      2. “The evidence suggests that …”
      3. “Here is what I think, but what do you think?”

6. Respect:

   1. Treat others well
      1. Treat them as your equal
      2. Treat them as powerful and important
   2. Avoid
      1. Hurtful language about others.
      2. Personal attacks
      3. Saying that a person or group is stupid

7. Probability

   1. Think in terms of probability
   2. Examples:
      1. It is highly probable, say p > 99.999 + % that the earth is round.
      2. There is a low likelihood, say less than 0.5% that Obama was not born in Hawaii.
         
   3. Avoid thinking in terms of right and wrong.
   4. Make decisions based on expected value.

8. Research

   1. Gather high-quality information before you reach important conclusions.
   2. Expect others to do this also.

9. Arguments:

   1. Structure your communication using the issue-conclusions-reasons framework.
   2. Help others do the same.