Leaders should be critical thinkers

Editor, This is with reference to the story, “Call for critical thinking as local leaders begin training”, (The New Times, November 25).The very idea of critical thinking is timely to our leaders serving in various capacities. Philosophy as a mother of all disciplines of human knowledge is a critical element if we are to have our leaders think critically, for it will enable them think, reason and know.Naturally, we are compelled to move through life, we could not remain stationary however much we wished. Every right thinking person wants not merely to move through life like a sound producing perambulating plant, but to develop – to develop and even continue the development mentally to the close of a physical life.This development can only occur through the improvement of the quality of individual thought. Our leaders ought to, indeed, have a creative process of thought and explore to seek this most powerful force of nature and be critical in leadership skills.It is through such innovations that we will have a knowledge based economy and recognise possibilities that before had no meaning for us. A simple exercise of thought, man changes not only himself, but his environment, circumstances and conditions.Let there be introductory courses of philosophy to our leaders/schools/private sector/higher institutions of learning through civic education. These may include; introduction to philosophy; introduction to Ethics/Ethics pure and applied; introduction to Logic; and African philosophy to mention but a few.These introductory courses will stir up the mental faculty and expose reality.It should be noted that thinking is to everyone (opinion) but critical thinking is to the few – those who can stand the test of an argument and take a stance.That’s what our leaders ought to be, that’s what philosophy is all about.This will enable our leaders to become philosopher kings – those who overcome emotions, guarded by morals and guided by reason.David Nkusi, Nyanza

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Leaders should be critical thinkers