Opinion

Dr. Cruz is the chair of the philosophy department and the program in cognitive science at Williams College.

Opinion

TL;DR

  • Colleges are adopting strict measures against AI in education, focusing on proctored exams and monitored writing platforms.
  • The idea that writing is the primary method for developing critical thinking is a recent concept from the 1970s.
  • Evidence supporting writing as the best tool for thinking development is limited and inconclusive.
  • Plato's Socrates argued that true insight comes from conversation, not written words.
  • The author advocates for engaging students through dynamic, responsive classroom conversations rather than relying on prepared lectures or written assignments.