Beyond Technique: What's Really Worth Thinking About?

We put a lot of effort into thinking better. We learn methods for clear thinking and solving problems. We focus on how to think. But maybe we should also ask: What should we think about? What topics and problems deserve our limited time and mental energy?

This key question is explored in Chapter 9 of the book Thinking as a Science. The chapter is called "Things Worth Thinking About." It shifts focus from the tools of thought to the subjects of thought. It asks us to think about the purpose and value of what we choose to think about.

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The Simple Fun of Thinking

Do you think only when you need a practical result? Many people might say yes. But the author argues we often think just for the enjoyment of it. Think about solving a puzzle or a brain teaser. We might try a hard word game or number problem. We do these things often without needing a useful outcome.

The reward comes from the process itself. We enjoy the challenge and the effort. We like figuring things out. As the author says, solving problems is thinking. This shows that thinking has value in itself, separate from any practical use.

Thinking for Usefulness Too

While thinking itself can be rewarding, the chapter agrees that useful thinking has extra value. If solving a puzzle feels good, think how much better it feels when your thinking solves a real problem. Or when it helps you or others understand something important.

Thinking about useful things gives two rewards. You get the mental boost from solving the problem. You also get the satisfaction of using the solution. So, thinking can be its own reward, and it can also be a tool to reach other goals.

The Big Challenge: Choosing What Matters Most

If useful thinking is good, how do we choose what to focus on? There are so many problems in the world that could be useful to think about. We cannot possibly think about them all. Our time and energy are limited.

This means we need to choose carefully. We need to ask: How useful is this problem compared to others? We must decide which problems offer the best chance for real insight or important results. We need to set priorities for our thinking.

Knowing Facts vs. Solving Problems

The author points out something important. Knowing certain facts is valuable. But thinking through problems about those facts is a different kind of value. He uses health as an example. Knowing about your body is very important. But solving deep problems about how the body works often needs special training and tools. It might need years of study or lab work. It's not just about pure thinking.

This tells us that when we choose problems for deep thought, we should think about what's needed. Does the problem mostly need clear reasoning? Or does it need special facts we don't have?

Ideas for "Worthwhile" Questions

Instead of giving a strict rule, the author lists some examples of important questions. These show the kind of topics worth deep thought. The list is just a starting point to make us think. It includes big questions about:

How traits pass from parents to children (nature vs. nurture).

How people and society affect each other.

The right role and limits of government.

The causes and costs of war, and how to find peace.

Basic ideas about ownership, fairness, and money.

Deep questions about right and wrong, happiness, and how to decide moral issues.

The big question of how to live a good, full life.

Questions about our minds, free will, truth, and why we exist.

Thinking about these kinds of questions helps our minds grow. They challenge us to look deeper at ourselves and the world. Finding perfect answers might be hard. But the process of thinking about them is valuable.

The Best Way to Practice Thinking? Think About Big Things.

Some people think you should practice thinking on small problems first. Then move to bigger ones. The author disagrees. He says the best way to get good at handling important questions is to actually work on important questions. If you want to be a good boxer, you need to box. If you want to solve big problems, practice on big problems.

He also says we shouldn't worry too much if a topic seems "deep." Most topics are as deep as we make them. Often, the most important questions have already been studied by great thinkers. Reading their work can help us think more deeply too.

What You Read Shapes How You Think

What we think about leads to what we should read. If our thinking time is precious, our reading time needs even more care. There are millions of books. We can only read a tiny fraction of them.

Reading books randomly, just because we see them, is likely a waste of time. The author strongly suggests planning your reading. Make lists. Think about your goals. Choose books that help you meet those goals. Ask yourself if a book is truly worth reading over thousands of others.

The quality of what you read directly affects the quality of your thinking. It's like diet for the mind. Reading shallow or poorly reasoned books can weaken your thinking, even if you also read good books. The average quality matters. To improve your mind, consistently read thoughtful, well-written books. Read the classics and works by careful thinkers.

Knowing When to Think and When to Trust

While the book pushes for independent thought, it's also realistic. We cannot figure everything out ourselves. We cannot be experts in every field. The author suggests a practical approach:

Think for Yourself: On the most important questions where reasoning is key and facts are available. Put in the effort here.

Ask Experts: For important topics needing special knowledge you lack (like science or law). Find trustworthy sources.

Use Common Sense (Carefully): For many everyday issues where deep thought isn't practical. General customs or popular beliefs can be a starting point. They aren't always perfect, but often have some basis in experience.

Be Intentional with Your Mind

Chapter 9 of Thinking as a Science gives us clear advice: Be deliberate about what you think about and what you read. It’s not just about how sharp your thinking skills are. It’s about where you point that sharp mind. By choosing important questions and quality reading, you invest wisely in your own understanding and mental growth. In today's busy world, deciding what deserves your attention is a vital skill.