Intellectual Perseverance can be defined,
at least by the Critical Thinking Community, as: “Having a consciousness of the
need to use intellectual insights and truths in spite of difficulties,
obstacles, and frustrations; firm adherence to rational principles despite the
irrational opposition of others; a sense of the need to struggle with confusion
and unsettled questions over an extended period of time to achieve deeper
understanding or insight.” (Valuable Intellectual Traits,
1996)
The goal of this blog post is to dissect and discuss each element of this definition
and apply it to how it relates to my concept of a good leader and how it’ll be
important in my progress throughout my studies.
The first element from the
Critical Thinking Communities definition of Intellectual Perseverance was “having
a consciousness of the need to use intellectual insights and truths in spite of
difficulties, obstacles, and frustrations.” (Valuable Intellectual Traits, 1996) This particular
element relates to a good leader because a good leader would be mindful of what
he or she doesn’t know and be conscious of that fact. This could potentially
stop the waste of resources when better alternatives could be found. King
Xerxes, from the film 300, illustrates a lack of intellectual perseverance by not
being conscious of alternative ways to beating the Spartans. (Snyder, 2007) Instead he blindly used brute force
methods to take down an obstacle and not only did it prove to be unsuccessful,
but costly as well. Being mindful of what I don’t know throughout my studies will
be helpful because it teaches me to keep an open mind. Even though a brute
force attack by King Xerxes may have worked against other armies, I can’t let
past experiences (good or bad) cloud my judgment nor bias my decisions when I
take on future problems.
The second element from the
Critical Thinking Communities definition of Intellectual Perseverance was a “firm
adherence to rational principles despite the irrational opposition of others.” (Valuable Intellectual Traits, 1996) A good leader will
stay firm to this principle because they will stay true to what they believe is
rationally right without being controlled and limited on the irrational sayings
of others. King Leonidas, also from the film 300, wanted to protect his
homeland from the invading forces of King Xerxes. He had a rational plan of
defense by fighting the enemy forces at the Hot Gates, however the Ephor’s counseled
King Leonidas to not go to war during the religious festival of Carnea. (Snyder, 2007) King Leonidas knew
that this would have inevitably lead to the defeat of all of Greece. By not
listening to the irrational council of the Ephor’s and sticking firm to his out
rational principles, King Leonidas was able to carry forth his plan and defend
his land in what is known as one of the most efficient and effective defenses
ever carried out in history. This will be important in my studies because it
will help combat what is known as group think. By sticking firm to my
principles and embracing productive conflict, I can work towards a more
effective decision and not go about something irrationally like the Ephor’s
recommended.
The final element from the
Critical Thinking Communities definition of Intellectual Perseverance was having
“a sense of the need to struggle with confusion and unsettled questions over an
extended period of time to achieve deeper understanding or insight.” (Valuable Intellectual Traits, 1996) A good leader would
be conscious of the fact that hasty decisions can be disastrous. Time and study
is required to better understand a field and with this, a more informed
decision can be made. An example of this can be seen in the film Casino Royale
with James Bond playing poker. (Campbell, 2006) James Bond is able
to come into the game unfamiliar with his opposition, and through time and
study, he is able to learn each player’s faults and eventually kick their butts
(at poker). This element of thinking is important in my studies because it
teaches me to think critically about each problem and to give the problem time
so that a hasty, uninformed decision cannot be made. By taking time with a problem,
I am able to learn new things that may otherwise not have presented itself.
In summery practicing good
Intellectual Perseverance will help me be mindful of what I don’t know and to
keep an open mind, it will help me stay firm to making rational decisions and
not fall for group think, and finally it will keep my eyes open to the fact
that time is required to achieve a deeper understanding of a problem. All of
these are qualities that I expect from a good leader and seeing the fact that I’m
current pursuing a degree in Leadership, these qualities are what I should
expect from myself as well. Throughout the course of my studies I hope to
achieve this goal and I hope to be able to share this knowledge with others as
well.
References
Campbell, M. (Director). (2006). Casino Royale
[Motion Picture].
Snyder, Z. (Director). (2007). 300 [Motion
Picture].
Valuable Intellectual Traits. (1996, June). Retrieved from The Critical Thinking
Community:
http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/valuable-intellectual-traits/528
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