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Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide for Young Skeptics – Dan Barker |
In today’s world of information, there is little that one can do to control facts and myths that get through to young people. Thus, the best thing to do is to arm them with the sword of critical thinking. Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide for Young Skeptics is an appealing introduction for those who want to learn more about self-reliance and self-confidence while making decisions.
The book’s 10-year-old protagonist Andrea is constantly asking questions because she knows one should prove the truth of an odd story before believing it. From the way some of her friends react, it is quite evident that they do not even want to discover the truth because they are more content living in their fantasy world. This is a very important aspect to clarify with freethinking children, who may wonder later in their lives why their friends do not want to be rational like themselves.
“Check it out. Repeat the experiment. Try to prove it wrong. It has to make sense,” writes author Dan Barker, as he convinces young readers that they have everything it takes to figure out what they need to believe and determine when there is not enough information available to figure it out completely. This introduction to skeptical curiosity encourages readers to have an open mind and dabble with different claims until the single truth has been established and there are no further doubts over the matter. “You can do it your own way. If you are a good skeptic you will know how to think for yourself,” Barker adds.
Maybe Yes, Maybe No not only introduces the idea of critical thinking to young readers but it also serves as a great conversation starter for elderly people. Also, the book attempts to take away from the negativity often associated with the word skepticism, apart from obviously teaching its readers how important it is for someone to listen while having a critical conversation with another person. Drawing the fine line between skeptics and nonbelievers, Barker clarifies that the former are not incapable of believing but they will do so only after asking questions, listening to answers and then making an informed decision.
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