Thinking Critically About What Matters: A Punk Rock Guide

Presenting a systematic philosophical framework for thinking critically about knowledge, information, and one’s own quest for what matters in life, this book serves as a fun and irreverent guide for sound-decision making in action, intended not only for reflective library practitioners but also academics across disciplines, college and post-grad students, and thoughtful individuals interested in critical thinking theory and practice.

Thinking Critically About What Matters lays out an original perspective on critical thinking, defined as the values-based decision-making process of (i) making up our own minds about what matters in life and (ii) making choices in the real world based on our own authentically chosen values. The authors deftly synthesize the critical thinking mindset of thinking for yourself with the DIY punk rock ethos of doing things for yourself, presenting an actionable approach to critical thinking that will give you the philosophical tools you need to creatively embody these rebellious philosophical perspectives in your own life and work.

Organized into six chapters, this guide investigates philosophical perspectives from divergent traditions that share a common theme of liberating a person from their own self-centering biases and limited point of view when interpreting the information that comprises reality. With a refreshingly irreverent attitude toward hierarchical authority and other cultural conventions, it

• shares practical strategies for sound decision-making and creative thinking around purpose and meaning in both individual and group contexts;
• outlines a rebellious attitude for thinking critically about evaluating information, media bias, and information literacy education more broadly;
• demonstrates how Socrates’ philosophically therapeutic approach can be adapted for critical thinking that’s grounded in intellectual humility, open-mindedness, and frank assessment of one’s values and assumptions about what matters in life;
• explores Zen Buddhism’s playful, rule-breaking approach to critical thinking, including Bruce Lee’s Taoist admonition to “Be Water,” Buddhism’s invitation to “widen one’s window on oneself and the world” through an emphasis on de-centering the self, and the importance of reflecting on the nature of impermanence;
• discusses Friedrich Nietzsche’s critique of the hegemony of dominant cultural values as universal “shoulds” and recommends Nietzsche’s “bespoke” theory of practical wisdom centered on positive psychology, self-trust, and individual and group self-expression as a more suitable basis for sound-decision making;
• culminates in a discussion of intersectional anarchist perspectives on leadership and meaningful work, proposing direct democratic decision-making as a practical framework for inclusive decision-making in teams and organizations;
• includes extensive artwork and “zine”-style illustrations of philosophical concepts that can serve as the basis for critical thinking zines, lesson plans, presentations, professional development workshops, or even entire courses on critical thinking; and
• concludes with reflections on the unique cultural role librarians can play in democratizing information and fostering critical thinking.        

Examination copies are available for instructors who are interested in adopting this title for course use.

Explore apparel, stickers, totes, and other merch inspired by this book at ALA's Library Gift Shop!