Lessons in Critical Thinking (11 of 12)

What Is Not Said.

In a recent issue of the comic strip Blondie (May 5, 2009), we have this exchange: Dagwood says, “I think it’s a crying shame that so many people base their political views on what radio talk show people say.” Herb responds, “Where did you get that ridiculous idea, Bumstedt?!” Dagwood says, “From that talk show host.” Another character says, “Hey, you two pipe down! He’s coming back on!” “Yeah! And he was about to make a great point!”

Now, from a first reading one might believe that a talk show host carries too much influence in our culture today. What is not said is what about television, magazine or newspaper personalities. Could the argument be made that too many people base their political views on what television news anchors say, or what opinion article writers write or on what is printed in magazines?

Martin Luther is credited with saying that when someone spoke to him concerning an issue involving someone else, he would always hold his hand over one ear. In this way he would reserve the second ear to hear the other side of the story. Or as the old joke goes, where two people are gathered there are three opinions. We all have our own biases. We all have our own presuppositions. When we hear people speak, we need to make sure we listen, not only to what they say, but also to what they are not saying, to the other side of the story, or as Paul Harvey used to say, to the “Rest of the story.”

When a person takes the witness stand in a court of law, they swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Critical thinking involves listening for the whole truth, including that part of the truth that is not given for whatever reason. Listen to how one side of the story is presented, and always ask, “What is not being said?”