How to Think for Yourself
Paul Graham’s essay How to Think for Yourself argues that certain professions—science, investing, entrepreneurship, and essay writing—require independent thinking to succeed.
The Key Distinction
Most work only demands correctness, not novelty. Recognizing which category your chosen field falls into is crucial for career satisfaction.
Independent-Mindedness as Innate
The tendency toward independent or conventional thinking appears largely inborn. People often misjudge where they fall on this spectrum.
Graham notes: “schools generally ignore independent-mindedness, except to the extent they try to suppress it.”
Cultivating Independent Thought
Social Environment: Surrounding yourself with independent-minded peers encourages unconventional thinking. High school environments often suppress it due to conformist pressure.
Intellectual Exposure: Seek diverse perspectives—meet people with unusual knowledge, read history, travel. This expands your idea sources.
Skepticism as Practice: Actively question accepted claims. Ask “Is that true?” This helps identify flawed assumptions concealing novel insights.
Three Components
Independent-mindedness comprises three interchangeable elements:
- Fastidiousness about truth: Carefully calibrating belief degrees rather than rushing toward extremes
- Resistance to conformity: An active delight in counterintuitive ideas, not mere negativity
- Curiosity: The primary driver of novel idea discovery
These components can substitute for each other, creating multiple valid models of independent thinking.
How do you cultivate independent thinking? I’d love to hear at persdre@gmail.com.