In Episode 84 of MindTricks Radio, I’m joined by critical thinking researcher Dr. Christopher Dwyer for a wide-ranging and lively conversation that goes well beyond the basics of what it means to think well. We explore his provocatively titled new book, Knowledge Doesn’t Exist, and unpack what that claim really means. Rather than arguing that truth is meaningless, Dwyer challenges the way we casually treat “knowledge” as something fixed and certain, inviting listeners to examine how information, memory, emotion, and context shape what we think we know.

Our discussion moves through some of the most pressing cognitive issues of everyday life, including the unreliability of memory, the seductive pull of intuition, and the difficulty of navigating information in an online world driven by algorithms, misinformation, and hidden biases. We also explore how critical thinking relates to creativity and intuition, why uncertainty is not a weakness but a strength, and how science advances by questioning rather than proving. Along the way, we even touch on the perception of time and why novelty and attention shape how quickly life seems to move.

This episode is an invitation to rethink certainty, slow down automatic judgments, and develop a more flexible, honest relationship with what you believe. Whether you’re interested in psychology, education, or simply making better decisions in a noisy world, this conversation offers practical insights and thought-provoking challenges that will stay with you long after the episode ends. Thanks for Tuning in!

Blog post and full transcript of this episode can be found here: https://waikikihealth.com/critical-thinking-beyond-basics-a-conversation-with-dr-christopher-dwyer/

Episode 84: Critical Thinking -- Beyond the Basics, with Dr. Christopher Dwyer