Right Or Wrong...Err Left?

Had a short quip with a lawyer during a work-related lunch the other day, and suddenly remembered this comment posted long ago in a post on a favourite blog. The blogger, who incidentally is also a lawyer (talk about coincidence), offered some very interesting views.
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Great article. The part ‘hinting’ at the correlation between the thinking mind and the status of a country is indeed refreshing. Could it be that our country is still a ‘developing’ one instead of developed because we’re all still not using our right brain? Or is it because most of us still do not think critically with our left brain?

    No, I don’t think right-brain thinking is a function (or hallmark) of a developed country. Think about it: It was their dependence on, and exploitation of left-brain skills that that took them to ‘developed’ nation status in the first place. Thus, these countries will culturally value the left- rather than right-brain. In fact, the journey to becoming a developed nation may have even impeded the development right-brain skills i.e. when, in the name of progress, right-brain skill are forced to take a backseat in relation to skills like analysis, logic and reasoning (left-brain stuff)

My take: Right-brain skills do not take you to ‘developed’ nation status. But once you become a developed nation, you’d better have a extensive arsenal of right-brain skills.


Mat, thanks for putting your thoughts there. Never did think of it that way. Maybe it’s because my brain is not as developed as yours. Must read more from now on, haha.

But what’s your take on our country becoming developed in the near future if the people still do not think critically and just follow the status quo?

   
    Again, my take on this: I’m not too worried about the 30-something and 40-something generation – they are quite adept at thinking critically (most of them, anyway). Just look at the SOPO- and journo-blogs that’s sprouting from all over the place. Furthermore, this generation is the vanguard when it comes to socio-political issues and the like.

    However, I do worry about the generation that is still now in school (or university). Yes, they do get good grades and I am certain that they are capable of tremendous mental gymnastics i.e. book learning. But I suspect that they sadly lack perspective and will be lost in a contextual environment. In other words, their left-brains are being developed to the fullest extent but right-brain skills are lagging behind.

Thanks again for the insight. You make it very clear then. But is critical thinking a function of the left or right brain? Always thought it was the left. If it were the left, does it not mean that our younger generation are also not fully utilizing their left skills? Hmm…

I’m nearing my forties and had observed a few relatives who are graduates of our local universities. They are not at all interested in abstract concepts and ideas. Only in pursuing physical and material things. While that is not a bad thing in itself but what if it’s done in disregard of other things which are more important. Again, what’s important differs for each of us. But what if that ‘pursuing’ becomes their main purpose in life and they think it’s what life is all about?

Our education system places too much emphasis on rote-learning where most of everyone could proclaim “i can do that” but few would question “should i do that?”. Maybe i’m rambling here la. Haiyah…

But i shall not dwell too much on this and maybe just spend my time listening to music.

    Critical thinking – like analysis, logic and reason – are left-brain skills; our kids are good at these skills. The education system has made sure of this. However, the perceived notion of a lack of critical thinking is actually due to, NOT a lack of left-brain prowess, but is indirectly attributable to a weakness in right-brain skill development.

    Let me explain. While the left-brain is very capable of rigorous analysis, a lack of input from the right-brain, (input like spatial relationship, synthesis, emotion etc) renders the analytical thinking barren and impotent. The brains needs both its hemispheres to be able to function at its optimum.

    Thus, even tho a lot of people are capable of critical thinking, it may not seem like so because they are relying only one side of the brain (i.e. left). There is no (or little) right-brain input to put all that critical thinking into context. Hope this helped.

    I like your ‘I can do that’ / ‘should I do that’ analogy.

Mat, again thanks for enlightening explanation although it probably only touches the surface.

I shall get the book on my next visit to the bookstore. After gaining more insights perhaps we could discuss this interesting topic again.

Until then, i will keep reading what you wrote and wish you all the best. Keep up the good writing. Cheers.

    I, too, look forward to meeting you and to the opportunity of learning from you


The post can be found HERE.