Dear Editor,
Mr. Mark DaCosta’s letter to the editor in Stabroek News (Apr 17, 2015) is interesting. It is of the same vein of others such as Mr Ian McDonald, Dr Jeffrey etc whose voices are often too easily dismissed by general audiences. Other letters to the editor are titled: “An intellectual dead end”, “Revisionist history”, and there have been many more. We do not have to agree with all ideas, but the process…..
I do not personally know Mr DaCosta, but what a concept: “critical thinking!”
I would slightly differ from his definition highlighted below. “Critical Thinking” is not how “smart people think”. It is not a character attribute, rather it is a methodology that “educated people” use to find answers to problems. Smart and educated is not the same thing. It is not the only mode to understanding an issue, but it is the more scientific way to provide explanations based on systematic and empirical analysis of the antecedent factors. What Mr DaCosta and others appear to be really appealing for is more use of the “Verstehen Tradition” for Guyanese voters and policymakers. He is suggesting that it is not only about admiring and finding the “right” political candidates. It is for all Guyanese; politicians, civil society, the citizen in the street to demand more innovative and practical solutions for mitigating intractable social problems. More empathic and predictive understanding and a more interpretive approach.
Methodology provides a basis for reasoning. At some point, whoever prevails at the forthcoming elections would be advised to quickly switch from campaign mode to some conceptual foundations for problem solving and new models for policy implementation. Stanley Ming’s presentations demonstrate that we do not have to have a cold start and we can build on already completed investigative research and studies. We may need more political and ‘PhD’ support to the process…….
Guyanese voices are making demands and hopefully that the media continues to promote and help to harness this approach. More thinking is critically needed and not just FaceBook ‘likes’…..
Yours faithfully,
Brian Chin
