Do you examine premises, even/especially your own?

One of the focuses of my pedagogy and personal search for understanding has been to examine the premises that myself and others use to base their arguments and questions on. A perfectly logical point can be made from untrue premises, and will likely come to incorrect conclusions because of that (like excusing empire by asserting that the world is becoming less violent, which we see is patently untrue, or that alternative energy is sustainable and clean).

I’ve come to the understandings I have today by having my preconceived notions smashed, and that’s not easy. It throws off our ideas of ourselves. I think that’s why so many arguments get heated when someone’s premises are challenged; their worldview and sense of self is built around it. Some people react defensively, maybe even violently. I think for full self awareness and good critical thought, our premises and where we get the information to form them is key. Because frankly, it’s way too often that I see supposedly intelligent people saying dumbshit things and treating them as fact when they’re popular culture (like all that caveman stuff I always yell at you about).