NVC Part 2: Critical Thinking

One of the most fundamental values in the tradition of education is the importance of thinking critically about the nature of the world. As science has progressed we have been able to unravel some of the mysteries of the very small to the very large, all with help of our ability to reason, rationalize and make judgements based on what empirically occurs in the world or agreed upon principles. This informs our science as well as our ethics. To be sure, the technologies of critical thinking, logic and reason have given us invaluable knowledge about the world. In addition to understanding the physical properties of our world, we have also used these ways of understanding to navigate our social life. In other words we use our critical thinking skills to evaluate morality, judge right and wrong and distribute punishments and rewards.

What I have found is that these tools, so important to science, education and knowing our world, are not all that great when it comes to interacting with other people, our friends, colleagues and families. I have found that we all act out of a sense of righteousness, be it in a meeting, at home with our families or in a religious conflict and that critical thinking in this regard leaves people feeling deflated and unfulfilled (even when it is established that they are right!). I found that the ability to decipher right and wrong action, behavior and thought breaks down when one considers multiplicity of perspectives etc. NVC is one alternative to this technology. One that doesn't make suggestions for action, thought or behavior based on what is "right" or "wrong", but rather on the level of needs.