In a world full of information, it’s tempting to read books as mere sources of answers, accepting their ideas without questioning. But reading isn’t just about absorbing knowledge—it’s about using books as tools to challenge and refine our thinking.
To grow as readers, we must approach texts with a critical eye, constantly evaluating, questioning, and reflecting on what we encounter. In this post, I’ll explore the dangers of uncritical reading and show you how to engage with books in a way that sharpens your mind and challenges your assumptions.
The Hidden Dangers of Uncritical Reading
Reading isn’t simply about extracting information or passively accepting everything an author says.
Reading without critical thinking is more than just a missed opportunity—it’s risky. We risk spreading misinformation or reinforcing our biases when we accept information without questioning. This problem is amplified in today’s social media world but extends to books.
Just because an author you admire writes something doesn’t mean you should accept it uncritically. Thoughtful reading requires us to question, analyze, and engage.
An example of uncritical acceptance is how people responded to Chris Bailey’s book How to Calm Your Mind: Finding Presence and Productivity in Anxious Times. When this book was released, I listened to people who respected the author uncritically accept his conclusions about the superiority of analog tools vs digital tools. One podcaster stated that Bailey’s conclusions were always backed by scientific evidence. They repeated them as though they were proven mantras.
A critical reading of the book revealed the statements preferring analog tools were, in fact, the author’s subjective personal opinions and were not based on any scientific evidence. (See my post, A Review of How To Calm Your Mind, by Chris Bailey.
Books as Tools for Sharpening Our Thought
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus believed that books are tools for thinking. He said, “Don’t just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person.” The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, by Epictetus and Sharon Lebell.
To Epictetus, a book wasn’t just something to be read and shelved. It was a tool for thinking—a way to sharpen the mind and cultivate wisdom. Today, we can apply the same principle: reading is less about collecting facts and more about developing the ability to think critically and become more reflective.
How do we approach a book in a way that sharpens our thinking? One of the key books that teaches a structured approach to think about a book is the classic How to Read a Book, the Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Dorden.
“Reading a book should be a conversation between you and the author…But understanding is a two-way operation; the learner has to question himself and question the teacher. He even has to be willing to argue with the teacher, once he understands what the teacher is saying.”
How to Read a Book, by Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Dorden
Although this can be a long and complicated read, it has some excellent information. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a detailed analytic process to get the most out of reading.
The Art of Thoughtful Reading: A Step-by-Step Guide
1 . Know the Author’s Biases and Perspective: Every author writes from a unique background and biases. What is the author trying to prove? Does he come from a particular political group or mindset that may have possible biases in his writing?
2. Separate Facts from Opinions: Distinguishing between factual statements and the author’s personal opinions is vital to critical reading. Not all assertions are grounded in evidence, so it’s essential to ask: What is fact, and what is merely an interpretation?
3 . Identify Key Arguments: Pinpoint the book’s main thesis. What is the author trying to convince you of? This is essential before you start forming opinions about the material.
4 . Evaluate the evidence: Don’t just accept what the author says—check their sources. Is their argument supported by credible, reliable evidence, or is it built on assumptions and logical fallacies?
5 . Make Comparisons: How does this book stack up against other texts on the same topic? Comparing arguments will help you see the bigger picture and determine if the author’s conclusions are sound.
Reading to Reflect, Not to Agree or Disagree
When I attended Harding Graduate School of Religion in the early 80s, there was a quote by Francis Bacon posted outside of Professor Carroll Osburn’s door: “Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.” Essays, Of Studies, 1625, edited by Susan Ratcliffe.
This simple yet profound advice has stayed with me throughout my life. It’s a reminder that reading should be an exercise in reflection, not just agreement. Each book we read offers an opportunity to weigh its ideas and decide what we take away from it.
Why Thoughtful Reading is Worth the Effort
Thoughtful reading requires effort—it’s not as simple as breezing through the pages. But the rewards are well worth it. By critically engaging with a book, we sharpen our mental skills, refine our beliefs, and develop a more nuanced understanding of the world.
In the Farnam Street newsletter, Joel Miller wrote, “A book is a tool. It’s a machine for thinking. And “all machines,” as Thoreau once said, “have their friction.”…But the time given to working through those ideas, adopting and adapting, developing or discarding, changes our minds, changes us. It’s not about the wisdom we glean. It’s about what wisdom we grow.”
This process isn’t just about gaining knowledge but transforming how we think.
Critical Reading: A Lifelong Practice for Growth
Critical reading should be a lifelong skill as we continually educate ourselves and grow our skills and knowledge. If you don’t already have one, I urge you to develop a reading habit. I habitually read nonfiction in the afternoon and fiction in the evening.
I read primarily what interests me. I also read to solve problems and sometimes to develop new skills that would benefit me.
It’s also helpful to apply critical reading to other media. Extend the concept of critical reading to other forms of media, such as news articles, social media, and online content.
Cultivate a Habit of Thoughtful Reading
Reading is more than just consuming words—it’s a powerful tool for sharpening your thinking and expanding your understanding of the world. By approaching each book with a critical eye, questioning the author’s perspective, evaluating evidence, and reflecting on the arguments, you become an active participant in the conversation, not just a passive recipient of information.
As you continue your reading journey, I encourage you to embrace thoughtful reading as a lifelong practice. The next time you pick up a book, ask yourself: What is the author really saying? Do I agree? What evidence supports this? Engaging with a book this way doesn’t just change how you read; it transforms how you think.
Start now. Pick up the book you’re currently reading and challenge yourself to critically analyze its core ideas. The more we practice critical reading, the sharper our thinking becomes.