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Clear thinking, part 4
I do like this book; it is so beautifully written. Here is another extract.
We have already noted, in the course of this book, how people dislike having their cherished convictions disturbed, how their thoughts and actions are dictated more by prejudice than sound reasoning, how quickly they respond to primitive impulses and instincts, especially in times of crisis, how their passions can overrule better judgment, how distasteful it is to be compelled to think at all, how powerful is the influence of generally accepted opinion--that being so, is it surprising that the popular newspaper finds it safer and more paying to flatter people's cherished convictions, pander to their prejudices, appeal to their primitive instincts (especially the herd instinct), stimulate their passions, and save them the trouble of thinking?
The preceding paragraph is one sentence. How many writers today could write such a clear long sentence? How many readers could cope with it? The paragraph continues.
Is it surprising that it is more profitable to encourage people to go on thinking the false with which they are familiar than to tell them the necessary but unpleasant truth they do not want to hear?
Thought for today
Accuracy of observation and clarity of thought are generally accompanied by clarity and accuracy in language: and muddled writing is nearly always the result of muddled thinking.
RW Jepson, Clear Thinking. An Elementary Course of preparation for Citizenship, 1936
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