The Critical
Thinking Community definition of intellectual perseverance is “Having a
consciousness of the need to use intellectual insights and truths in spite of
difficulties, obstacles, and frustrations; firm adherence to rational
principles despite the irrational opposition of others; a sense of the need to
struggle with confusion and unsettled questions over an extended period of time
to achieve deeper understanding or insight.” (Valuable Intellectual Virtues,
1996)
If you were to
slice into my brain to attempt to extract my thoughts on intellectual perseverance
you would see my mind churning up concepts of perseverance in general; trying
to grasp at putting my finger on what intellectual perseverance is. I pictured
myself running, strong and steadfast on my fifth mile and realized, well, that
is not me. I kept mulling over what it means and wondered, “Do I even have a
relationship with intellectual perseverance?” So, what is a girl to do?
Obviously the answer is turn on the song “The Climb” sung by the nearly
infamous Miley Cyrus and spend some time pontificating upon this concept.
Then I realized maybe I was on my own journey to living out
intellectual perseverance. Sometimes the
only way to truly understand something is to live it. I got to that point where
I just kept saying: “I cannot do it. I cannot go on. I will never figure this
out.” As the incapability crept in I coolly summoned my imagery mental sword
and said to my frustrations “I can do this. I will do this. I will figure this
out.” I sliced through doubt and slayed
my fear, and although I did not share my struggle with a group of people who
became my naysayers, I was my own irrational opposition. I tied those
intellectual shoe laces tight and set out to declare I was in it for the long
haul and spent today observing this theme. I told my friends at work that today
is intellectual perseverance day and it is wonderful, that is full of wonder.
I felt the need to explore this for an entire day and speak
about it to others as encouragement and reassurance to those around me who may be
periodically facing difficulty, too. I reminded myself that as I advance
through this program and the things I want to accomplish in the future that I
am going to need to remember this day and practice often. I feel like perseverance
in any form needs be developed like a muscle. I am certain that I will face the
unknown and become restless, overwrought with anxiety, but consternation when
your faith crumbles to pieces is like trying to build a house of cards in front
of oscillating fan. It is important to me to face small moments of confusion
with fortitude so that I may meet my goals, find an answer and carry on.
To me, this is something I would favor in a good leader and upon
growing into a position of leadership; I would desire to have intellectual
perseverance in my skill toolbox. I have seen people call themselves leaders, I
have seen people try to be leaders and I have seen leaders in action. Almost anyone could stand in the front row
cheering when everything is easy, but when you do not know what to do; can you
muster to dig down with true grit? It is readily identifiable to see what works
and what does not. Success can often be quantifiable with results and answers. But
as you work with others you can see their methods of problem solving. I have
seen people slam files and throw papers, disgusted with themselves and the
people in their team. I have also been privileged to see intellectual
perseverance first hand. The best leader I have encountered thus far was able
to break down the issues, tackle them one at a time, research the unknown and
communicate the process while accepting feedback. The poise under pressure and
the endurance that ensued gained my respect and if I had to put intellectual
perseverance in a particular place, I would venture that it could very well be
the keystone that holds up all the other qualities essential to noteworthy
leadership.
reference:
Valuable Intellectual Virtues (June 1996). Foundation For
Critical Thinking
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