The End of Thinking?

by Mark Stephens

Re:CONSIDERING invites you to look at what’s familiar from an unfamiliar angle. To consider how we consider things – and how to do it better.

What were you thinking?

We all feel entitled to our opinion. Whether it be our take on politics, vaccines, parenting, or the value of religion, everybody wants to have their say – and everybody loves to be right.

But do we know what it means to think well?

Covering ‘idiot brain’, lobotomies, the difference between certainty and confidence, the nature of facts, and the virtue of intellectual hospitality, Mark Stephens invites you to consider not just what you think but how and why you think.

Do we think only for ourselves, or also for the good of others?

Genres: Nonfiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2021

About the author

After dabbling in yoga in my teens (1970s!), I've been passionately devoted practicing yoga since January 1, 1991, and since January 1, 1996 I've been equally passionate in sharing yoga as a personal practice for making every moment of one’s life better – healthier, clearer, and altogether more joyful. While Yoga Journal referred to me as "the teacher's teacher," I steadfastly believe that the best teach you will ever have is inside of you. At the same time, with practice and study, we can offer meaningful guidance to others, and this is precisely the intention in my textbooks for yoga teachers: Teaching Yoga (2010/2024), Yoga Sequencing (2012), Yoga Adjustments (2014) Yoga Therapy (2017), and Yoga for Better Sleep (2019.) I now writing a book on Yoga Histories and Philosophies from Ancient to Modern Times. All odf this taps into my background in Ashtanga Vinyasa, Iyengar, Vinyasa Flow, Tantra, and Yoga Therapy, plus fairly deep academic study of things like anatomy, philosophy, research methods and more. I try to bring an eclectic perspective to the practice that's all about making yoga more accessible, sustainable, and deeply transformational.

Reviews

[Benjamin Razey · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The End of Thinking, Stephens offers a number of helpful suggestions for thinking well. The book offers an accurate and engaging analysis of the culture we live in and provides a number of well considered suggestions for ways to think well in the midst of the 21st century chaos. Stephens’ book concludes by focusing on “the character of a thinker”, emphasising the importance on humility, hospitality and love in this. This virtuous approach to thinking is one of the real gifts of the book, leaving readers motivated to work at being good thinkers, not only for the benefit of oneself, but also for the betterment of others and the society we live in.

[Susan Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Stephens seeks to challenge the way we share our opinions and ideas in his short book, The end of thinking? Since thinking is a simple thing to do and we do it all the time, we believe we think well. However, sometimes we don’t think clearly or logically because we’re influence by emotion rather than well-thought-through arguments.

Stephens writes that we’re often too quick to share our opinions as facts and don’t listen to those we disagree with. We become too comfortable with our position on issues and ignore any evidence that would cause us to question our position. We’re influenced by our past histories and experiences, without taking into account the experiences of others. We’re also influenced by so-called experts without investigating the quality of their research. One scientific study isn’t enough to rely on when making important decisions. Instead of seeking certainty for our decisions, we would do better to cultivate confidence as there are very few things we can be truly certain of (except death and taxes, of course).

We have to be careful that our need to ‘be right’ doesn’t become arrogance and make us less willing to listen to others. Being a good thinker requires humility, hospitality and love so we can share our ideas in a way that benefits others.

Stephens writes in an easy-to-read manner with a touch of humour.

Overall a helpful read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas, an accessible and readable introduction to the art of thinking and logic. Readers would benefit from a read of his recommended readings to allow the practice of the principles he encourages (eg. why analysing reasons is a good thing as Stephen claims, without much reason for that principle given), and to gain a more in-depth understanding of the subject. Makes me curious about how God fits into epistemology, not just the moral use of knowledge.

[Eleasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful little booklet to help us pause, and step back and observe the inner world of our thinking -- to marvel at it, engage it more critically, and steward it for the good of others! I just lent it to a philosophically-minded friend in my Bible study group and will ask what he thinks of it!

[Jayden Khong · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The End of Thinking' is a thought-provoking and engaging book that looks to shed light on our layered approach to thinking. The short chapters are packed with the fundamentals of considerate thinking, where he challenges readers to take a new approach to this complicated process - thinking with humility, hospitality and love. In short, Stephens is able to cleverly articulate what we think, how we think, and why we think with humour and 'expert' knowledge in a short and punchy book.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆ | 4.00 stars | RTC

[Tim Goldsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the "Re:considering" series, Mark Stephens wants us to think. He wants us to think better, and he wants us to think, not only for ourselves, but for others.
Looking to philosophy, psychology, statistics & beyond, this short book encourages the reader to seek a solid foundation for our beliefs, to abandon the phrase "I'm entitled to my opinion" as a means of shutting down critical thinking, and, approaching discussion with "confidence not certainty", he encourages his readers to employ humility, hospitality and love as we see go grow ourselves and others.
A short sharp & profitable read for anyone who wants to think clearly in an information-saturated age.

[Venn Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a chapter of this book each day over the course of a week. It is a thought-providing read. Some good takeaways to think about, including how to be humble and hospitable thinkers (and openness to the possibility of being wrong).

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephens Sounds #1
Some interesting point in this short book, but ultimately it was so short you could not really sink your teeth into it and explore the ideas - if the ideas had the time and space to be fleshed out it may have been a better read. It was ok, but just not enough meat on its bones.

[Mostyn Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and packed with many ideas about our thinking behaviours, how to think better, and how to think with more empathy.