Common Library
@commonlibrary.bsky.social
Posts about critical thinking, logic, science, philosophy, and words. Taking the complicated and making it simple rather than taking the simple and making it complicated.
Like a good detective, a good critical thinker will not follow every lead and examine every explanation, but only the relevant ones. Once a relevant explanation has been thoroughly examined, only the remaining relevant alternatives are investigated. Some things are not worth our time and energy.
December 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Like a good detective, a good critical thinker will not follow every lead and examine every explanation, but only the relevant ones. Once a relevant explanation has been thoroughly examined, only the remaining relevant alternatives are investigated. Some things are not worth our time and energy.
The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum.
-Noam Chomsky
-Noam Chomsky
December 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum.
-Noam Chomsky
-Noam Chomsky
The world is not going to play by a different set of rules just for you. It does not revolve around you and what makes you happy and comfortable. This world is not ideal, but it is all we have. If we wish to understand it or ever hope to change it, then we must use critical thinking to do so.
December 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The world is not going to play by a different set of rules just for you. It does not revolve around you and what makes you happy and comfortable. This world is not ideal, but it is all we have. If we wish to understand it or ever hope to change it, then we must use critical thinking to do so.
It is okay to make mistakes. It is more important that we learn from our mistakes. We are not lesser for them and we can become greater from them.
December 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
It is okay to make mistakes. It is more important that we learn from our mistakes. We are not lesser for them and we can become greater from them.
No true Scotsman fallacy: arguing a person is not a real or legitimate member of the group because no real member of the group supports a particular claim or does a particular action
MAGA Civil War as commentators argue who is the real MAGA and who's hurting MAGA.
youtu.be/_BX_nod6wVM?...
MAGA Civil War as commentators argue who is the real MAGA and who's hurting MAGA.
youtu.be/_BX_nod6wVM?...
December 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
No true Scotsman fallacy: arguing a person is not a real or legitimate member of the group because no real member of the group supports a particular claim or does a particular action
MAGA Civil War as commentators argue who is the real MAGA and who's hurting MAGA.
youtu.be/_BX_nod6wVM?...
MAGA Civil War as commentators argue who is the real MAGA and who's hurting MAGA.
youtu.be/_BX_nod6wVM?...
Appeal to the minority: arguing that a statement is true because not many people believe it is true
Beware anyone who offers hidden, revealed, or secret truths. They use the above fallacy and psychological manipulation to get you to ignore your critical thinking skills for their own benefit.
Beware anyone who offers hidden, revealed, or secret truths. They use the above fallacy and psychological manipulation to get you to ignore your critical thinking skills for their own benefit.
December 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Appeal to the minority: arguing that a statement is true because not many people believe it is true
Beware anyone who offers hidden, revealed, or secret truths. They use the above fallacy and psychological manipulation to get you to ignore your critical thinking skills for their own benefit.
Beware anyone who offers hidden, revealed, or secret truths. They use the above fallacy and psychological manipulation to get you to ignore your critical thinking skills for their own benefit.
False dilemma: asserting there are only two alternatives when there are more than two
Either I'm too nice or there is something else that makes girls not like me.
Obviously there's nothing else unappealing about me.
So, clearly, I'm just too nice.
Either I'm too nice or there is something else that makes girls not like me.
Obviously there's nothing else unappealing about me.
So, clearly, I'm just too nice.
December 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
False dilemma: asserting there are only two alternatives when there are more than two
Either I'm too nice or there is something else that makes girls not like me.
Obviously there's nothing else unappealing about me.
So, clearly, I'm just too nice.
Either I'm too nice or there is something else that makes girls not like me.
Obviously there's nothing else unappealing about me.
So, clearly, I'm just too nice.
Be a leader, not a follower.
Using your critical thinking skills and thinking for yourself instead of letting someone else do your thinking for you will lead to your benefit much more often than not.
Using your critical thinking skills and thinking for yourself instead of letting someone else do your thinking for you will lead to your benefit much more often than not.
December 17, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Be a leader, not a follower.
Using your critical thinking skills and thinking for yourself instead of letting someone else do your thinking for you will lead to your benefit much more often than not.
Using your critical thinking skills and thinking for yourself instead of letting someone else do your thinking for you will lead to your benefit much more often than not.
Just because something is studied, does not make it a science. Additionally, there are some fields of study seem like science, but are not; they're pseudoscience. A pseudoscience is like what a fallacy is to a “good” argument; there is an error, mistake, or issue with it
December 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Just because something is studied, does not make it a science. Additionally, there are some fields of study seem like science, but are not; they're pseudoscience. A pseudoscience is like what a fallacy is to a “good” argument; there is an error, mistake, or issue with it
The Oxford University Press Word of the Year: Rage bait
Rage Bait- Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media content
Rage Bait- Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media content
December 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The Oxford University Press Word of the Year: Rage bait
Rage Bait- Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media content
Rage Bait- Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media content
What is the point of living life if you don't live your own life and are instead led around by others, fulfilling their interests and not your own? Think for yourself.
December 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
What is the point of living life if you don't live your own life and are instead led around by others, fulfilling their interests and not your own? Think for yourself.
"You cannot reason a person out of a position he did not reason himself into in the first place." -Jonathan Swift
You are always free to try, but that does not make it wise. Just because you could does not mean you should. Knowingly fighting a losing battle is not a good use of anyone's time.
You are always free to try, but that does not make it wise. Just because you could does not mean you should. Knowingly fighting a losing battle is not a good use of anyone's time.
December 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"You cannot reason a person out of a position he did not reason himself into in the first place." -Jonathan Swift
You are always free to try, but that does not make it wise. Just because you could does not mean you should. Knowingly fighting a losing battle is not a good use of anyone's time.
You are always free to try, but that does not make it wise. Just because you could does not mean you should. Knowingly fighting a losing battle is not a good use of anyone's time.
We can be our own worst enemy. No one is free from bias or perspective. It is up to us as good critical thinkers to know to signs of bad and fallacious arguments.
December 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
We can be our own worst enemy. No one is free from bias or perspective. It is up to us as good critical thinkers to know to signs of bad and fallacious arguments.
Citing your sources is important as it allows others to better evaluate your arguments. If you don't want to engage in critical thinking, don't be surprised when good critical thinkers call you out.
Samantha Fulnecky didn't follow instructions or cite her sources.
youtu.be/CwdjakpaoOg?...
Samantha Fulnecky didn't follow instructions or cite her sources.
youtu.be/CwdjakpaoOg?...
December 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Citing your sources is important as it allows others to better evaluate your arguments. If you don't want to engage in critical thinking, don't be surprised when good critical thinkers call you out.
Samantha Fulnecky didn't follow instructions or cite her sources.
youtu.be/CwdjakpaoOg?...
Samantha Fulnecky didn't follow instructions or cite her sources.
youtu.be/CwdjakpaoOg?...
Critical thinking helps us to be able to communicate our values and challenge those in power who wish us harm as well as those who would rather stand by than take action against injustice.
Do not let others take your power from you nor deny you the means to exercise your power for your benefit.
Do not let others take your power from you nor deny you the means to exercise your power for your benefit.
December 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Critical thinking helps us to be able to communicate our values and challenge those in power who wish us harm as well as those who would rather stand by than take action against injustice.
Do not let others take your power from you nor deny you the means to exercise your power for your benefit.
Do not let others take your power from you nor deny you the means to exercise your power for your benefit.
It is okay to not want to wade into every debate and discussion. However, to remain on the sidelines ignorant, unaware, and unconcerned is not the same. It does not make you better of above it all; it makes you irresponsible.
December 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
It is okay to not want to wade into every debate and discussion. However, to remain on the sidelines ignorant, unaware, and unconcerned is not the same. It does not make you better of above it all; it makes you irresponsible.
Goldilocks fallacy: arguing that the least extreme statement is true or the claim equal distant from two extreme claims is true in virtue of not being extreme
December 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Goldilocks fallacy: arguing that the least extreme statement is true or the claim equal distant from two extreme claims is true in virtue of not being extreme
Appeal to popularity: arguing that a statement is true because many people believe it is true
Vs
False-consensus effect: tendency to overestimate the extent our opinions, beliefs, preferences, values, and habits are normal and typical of those of others (i.e., that others think the same way as us)
Vs
False-consensus effect: tendency to overestimate the extent our opinions, beliefs, preferences, values, and habits are normal and typical of those of others (i.e., that others think the same way as us)
December 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Appeal to popularity: arguing that a statement is true because many people believe it is true
Vs
False-consensus effect: tendency to overestimate the extent our opinions, beliefs, preferences, values, and habits are normal and typical of those of others (i.e., that others think the same way as us)
Vs
False-consensus effect: tendency to overestimate the extent our opinions, beliefs, preferences, values, and habits are normal and typical of those of others (i.e., that others think the same way as us)
Might makes right?
Does violence, real or threatened, lead to truth?
Does it lead to justice?
Do the ends justify the means?
When diplomacy fails and debate and discourse has been abandoned, there is no place for critical thinking as the law of the jungle reigns and we slip back into darkness.
Does violence, real or threatened, lead to truth?
Does it lead to justice?
Do the ends justify the means?
When diplomacy fails and debate and discourse has been abandoned, there is no place for critical thinking as the law of the jungle reigns and we slip back into darkness.
December 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Might makes right?
Does violence, real or threatened, lead to truth?
Does it lead to justice?
Do the ends justify the means?
When diplomacy fails and debate and discourse has been abandoned, there is no place for critical thinking as the law of the jungle reigns and we slip back into darkness.
Does violence, real or threatened, lead to truth?
Does it lead to justice?
Do the ends justify the means?
When diplomacy fails and debate and discourse has been abandoned, there is no place for critical thinking as the law of the jungle reigns and we slip back into darkness.
Rigid thinking is another pitfall we must avoid as good critical thinkers. We cannot be so tied to our thoughts and beliefs that nothing can move or convince us otherwise.
Ask yourself, 'under what conditions would I change my mind?'
If nothing could change your mind, you aren't being reasonable.
Ask yourself, 'under what conditions would I change my mind?'
If nothing could change your mind, you aren't being reasonable.
December 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Rigid thinking is another pitfall we must avoid as good critical thinkers. We cannot be so tied to our thoughts and beliefs that nothing can move or convince us otherwise.
Ask yourself, 'under what conditions would I change my mind?'
If nothing could change your mind, you aren't being reasonable.
Ask yourself, 'under what conditions would I change my mind?'
If nothing could change your mind, you aren't being reasonable.
Health and fitness scammers and grifters use ambiguity and vagueness to get you to buy their products and services.
Terms like 'gut', 'overall health', 'your core', etc.
Does 'gut' mean stomach, gastrointestinal tract, belly fat?
Does 'overall health' include mental health?
What is 'your core'?
Terms like 'gut', 'overall health', 'your core', etc.
Does 'gut' mean stomach, gastrointestinal tract, belly fat?
Does 'overall health' include mental health?
What is 'your core'?
December 3, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Health and fitness scammers and grifters use ambiguity and vagueness to get you to buy their products and services.
Terms like 'gut', 'overall health', 'your core', etc.
Does 'gut' mean stomach, gastrointestinal tract, belly fat?
Does 'overall health' include mental health?
What is 'your core'?
Terms like 'gut', 'overall health', 'your core', etc.
Does 'gut' mean stomach, gastrointestinal tract, belly fat?
Does 'overall health' include mental health?
What is 'your core'?
Weasel words that give the impression of nuance and care, but instead avoid commitment or mislead through ambiguity or vagueness.
Qualifiers: may, might, could, can, virtually, up to, as much as
Vagueness: some say, experts believe, many people think
Ambiguity: improved, better, not as good
Qualifiers: may, might, could, can, virtually, up to, as much as
Vagueness: some say, experts believe, many people think
Ambiguity: improved, better, not as good
December 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Weasel words that give the impression of nuance and care, but instead avoid commitment or mislead through ambiguity or vagueness.
Qualifiers: may, might, could, can, virtually, up to, as much as
Vagueness: some say, experts believe, many people think
Ambiguity: improved, better, not as good
Qualifiers: may, might, could, can, virtually, up to, as much as
Vagueness: some say, experts believe, many people think
Ambiguity: improved, better, not as good
Your ignorance is not equal to my knowledge.
December 1, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Your ignorance is not equal to my knowledge.
Counterexample: a case where a given statement or the conclusion of an argument is false
One is enough.
Suppose all the premises true and ask whether there is a case where the conclusion is false; it's either yes and no, but never neither or both. This is a validity test for deductive arguments.
One is enough.
Suppose all the premises true and ask whether there is a case where the conclusion is false; it's either yes and no, but never neither or both. This is a validity test for deductive arguments.
November 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Counterexample: a case where a given statement or the conclusion of an argument is false
One is enough.
Suppose all the premises true and ask whether there is a case where the conclusion is false; it's either yes and no, but never neither or both. This is a validity test for deductive arguments.
One is enough.
Suppose all the premises true and ask whether there is a case where the conclusion is false; it's either yes and no, but never neither or both. This is a validity test for deductive arguments.
Attacking the messenger rather than the message is the fallacy called ad hominem. Additionally, it may also be an example of the genetic fallacy if the message is being denied or rejected based on messenger rather than the message itself. In such a case, one fallacy can lead to another and so on.
November 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Attacking the messenger rather than the message is the fallacy called ad hominem. Additionally, it may also be an example of the genetic fallacy if the message is being denied or rejected based on messenger rather than the message itself. In such a case, one fallacy can lead to another and so on.