The primaries have started and the presidential elections are fast approaching. So how does one decide which candidate to vote for? There are different ways to decide on a candidate. Some people like candidates that look “presidential.” Of course these people will need to define what presidential means. Some may decide it is time for a change and will vote for the black candidate or the woman candidate. The assumption here is that change is not related to policy but to the physical make up of the candidate. It is probably important to incorporate multiple decision making strategies.
I would like to advocate a more scientific procedure. A procedure that is more systematic with an emphasis on objectivity and evidence. If anyone has a problem with my logic or would like to add something please notify me.
Purpose: Get to know what your purpose for voting is. Is your purpose for voting to find the candidate that can best serve your interest? Is your purpose to find the best candidate to improve the economy? Is your purpose to find the candidate that can quickly get the US out of Iraq? State your purpose clearly and make sure it is realistic. Throughout your research make sure you check with your purpose so as to remain on target.
Question: Once you have your purpose write down a related question. Express the question in several ways to clarify its meaning and scope. Break the question down into its component parts to get a better grasp of your question. Distinguish questions that have definitive answers from those that are a matter of opinion. For example, if my purpose was to elect a candidate to improve the economy my question may be which candidate is best skilled at fixing the subprime crisis and passing legislation to offset future irrational financial behavior? This touches on one aspect of a very complex economic system but the point is that it is clear and specific.
Assumption: Make sure you know what assumptions you are making. Assumptions are sometimes subconscious and may require that you ask specific questions to bring them to the surface. For example, why do I believe this? Understand how assumptions are shaping your point of view. In thinking about which candidate is best skilled at fixing the subprime crisis the first candidate that comes to my mind is Mitt Romney. Reason being I’m making the assumption that a business background is better than a political background when dealing with the economy.
Point of view: Identify your point of view. Strive to understand other point of views. Strive to be fairminded when considering other point of views. If you’re a liberal try to look from the point of view of a conservative. If you’re a black person try to look from the point of view of a white person. If you’re a man try to look from the point of view of a woman. If you’re an immigrant try to look from the point of view of a working class citizen. If you’re gay try to look from the point of view of an evangelical.
Information: It is crucial that you gather data. You may want to look at the candidates voting record. You may want to look at his or her past activities. You may want to look at who is contributing to the candidate’s campaign. You may want to look into what the experts have to say about the candidate. By experts I don’t mean merely those people on television or those who write for major news outlets. You may want to read socialist journals, international journals, libertarian journals, anarchist journals, special interest journals, corporate newsletters, et cetera. You may want to read what the candidate has written. You may want to know how the candidate’s cabinet will look like. Search for information that opposes your position as will as those that support it. Make sure that all information you seek and gather are clear, accurate, and relevant to the question at hand. Finally, make sure you have gathered a sufficient amount of information.
Inference: Once you have all the information make sure you never infer more or less than what the information provides you. Analyze the assumptions that lead to your inference.
Implications: What is the implication of my vote? What is the implication if my candidate becomes president? Consider both positive and negative implications. You can never really know the answer to this but you would be better prepared to defend yourself if you do all the steps.
Critical thinking can be scary because it can challenge some of your most dearly held views. Good luck with your search.
