Being critical, or judgmental, can seem like a natural state of mind. We judge others. We judge ourselves. And we do it all the time, often without even realizing it. It’s so normal, it’s even encouraged: an academic education sets you up to be a critical thinker. To really consider the truth, the facts, the pros and cons, the rights and wrongs. Be your own judge.
But does this make you happy?
Not everybody grows up with a judgmental mindset. There are philosophies, religions, and different practices geared towards shifting the mind to a state of non-judgment; like a friendly awareness, or acknowledgement of reality, human behavior, and one’s own thoughts and feelings, without making moral judgments.
Do you think this is possible? Do you think it’s desirable? What would that mean for the critical thinker?
Let’s examine the internal mechanism of being judgmental, the purpose it serves, and what the consequences are. And please, please, don’t be too harsh on yourself if, once you start thinking about it, you end up judging yourself for being too judgmental.
EXISTENTIAL TUESDAYS
Existential Tuesdays are small weekly* lunch discussions in the Nook of the TUD Library. Practice your critical thinking skills, learn to see the world from different perspectives, and hang out with your fellow deep thinkers in Delft.
Interested in other events in the Nook? Sign up for the newsletter to find out what else we’re planning.
* no sessions during exam weeks or study week
