To the list, I agree Ron, it's probably healthy for the profession to get critical appraisal in the format here on the listserv. I have a tendency to avoid conflict where possible and that means sometimes I am flawed in thinking that nothing critical should ever be spoken or written, but in reality the true Science Based Professions and Disciplines have ongoing debates all the time, and it's healthy, hence the popular phrase DEFEND YOUR THESIS...when completing a doctorate. I tend to play devil's advocate with any stauchly held set of principle or theories, sometimes with a meager attempt at satire or lame humor.. While I enjoy the meat and potatoes clinical discussion, I find the philosphical debate an irresistibly frivolous and guilty pleasure. As OT LIST members spell out their widely held truisms, I suggest they revisit their doubts and examine their own certainties with a little self-critical thinking. In order to truly improve ones own development consider these Problems with Egocentric Thinking: ( Reference:Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools-Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder www.criticalthinking.org ) "IT'S TRUE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT" I have never questioned the basis for my beliefs "IT'S TRUE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT" I assume the dominant beliefts of the group are true, without question, how could we be wrong? "IT'S TRUE BECAUSE I WANT TO BELIEVE IT" what i believe puts me in a positive light compared to others yet I have not considered the evidence to the contrary of my belief, and it feels good to be right and not have to admit I am wrong. "IT'S TRUE BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IT" Why would I change what I believe now even with new evidence to be considered? "IT'S TRUE BECAUSE IT'S IN MY SELFISH BEST INTEREST TO BELIEVE IT" I hold fast to my beliefs that justify my getting more power, respect, influence, money, personal advantage even though my beliefs are not grounded in sound reasoning or evidence. Just a little food for thought, Quote of the day "The unexamined life is not worth living"--Socrates of Ancient Greece, stated in defense at his trial for encouraging his students to challenge the accepted beliefs of the time. Brent C Re:Message: 10 Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:05:25 -0400 From: Ron Carson <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [OTlist] Sounds like we agree! To: Brent Cheyne <[email protected]> Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Thanks Brent: I also agree with you!!! <smile> In person, I would never criticize a OT's treatment. Now, if I were their supervisor, I might offer some suggestions but I would not criticize someone in person. When I first started practicing occupation-based therapy in 1998, I was the only OT in my department doing so. I did NOT try to "convert" other OT's, nor did I criticize their treatment. I simply did what I thought was best practice. Some OT's asked me questions and sort of followed, others just dismissed me as a PT wanna be. For me, the bottom line, which I still follow today, is LEAD BY EXAMPLE. HOWEVER, this list serve is different. On here, I'm not critical of any specific therapist, but of OT in general. I STRONGLY believe that the specter of "bad" OT must be continually raised. For only then can it be changed. And, at the same time, good OT, such as yours, must also be expressed. I have not doubt that the profession of OT is slowly changing, but we must change quicker. Because as we creep along, other professions are also changing. By the time we get up to speed with occupation, PT may have already engulfed us. They are like a sea slug looking for an anemone. Neither moves very fast, but the slug moves just a little quicker. As always, thanks for the ongoing debate. THIS IS SO GOOD for our profession!! Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Brent Cheyne <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] Sounds like we agree! -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
