A Responsibility to Think

We Have a Responsibility to Think

Thinking is not what life is all about, but it is a vital part of it. Thinking shapes our decisions, and our decisions shape our actions. Thought seeks truth in order to make decisions as a basis for action, as an aspect of living and understanding the meaning of our lives. Whatever else might be involved, thought includes, at least: analysis, synthesis, comparison, contrast, implication, evaluation, imagination, arrangement, and review. Our study will enhance all these.

Better thinking leads to better living. Just as certainly as every normal person can walk and talk, so everyone can think--and, you can, without question, learn to be a much better thinker.

Not only is it in our own best interest to become better thinkers, we have a moral obligation to think more clearly in order to make better moral decisions. Many of the bad things that happen in the lives of both individuals and society are because, as a blundering friend of mine says from time to time, “I just didn’t think about that.” We have a moral and social, as well as prudential obligation to think about that.

A dominant reason for the prevalence of divorce is that there are many important things people just don’t think about before marriage. I am sure that Garth Brooks’ song, “Unanswered Prayers,” resonated for a lot of people. The song tells of a fellow who, in high school wanted a particular girl so much that he prayed God would let him have her. But he didn’t get her. Years later, with his wife, he saw her at a football game, and, seeing the changes in both her and in him, wound up extremely grateful that God had not answered his prayer.

(God was good to me; I got the one I prayed for, and have been grateful for almost sixty years).
Whether we think about marriage and family or other social issues, one of the major ways to develop a better society filled with good people is to learn and determine to think more clearly, completely, and creatively. I hope you share that conviction and dream.