Physical and emotional hindrances

Physical or emotional stress, fatigue, and certain drugs can severely affect our ability to think clearly and critically.
Hospital interns complain of the inability to do their medical duties to the best of their ability because they are
required to serve thirty-six hour or longer shifts. Air traffic controllers and airline pilots complain of the inability to
make good judgments when they are fatigued after long hours on duty. Add the stress of immense responsibility
and it is easy to see why we make bad judgments when we are fatigued.
How often have you stayed up all night studying for an exam? Usually, however, you can think well if you are
rested. Any benefit from all-night cramming will be more than offset by the disadvantages of being tired. The
problem can be compounded if the student is ingesting copious quantities of caffeine and nicotine, or other more
potent stimulants as well. It should be obvious that drugs, even certain medically prescribed and legal ones, can
severely hamper an individual’s ability to reason well. (Of course, not all drugs are hindrances to critical thinking.
Some drugs have a calming or healing effect, and are necessary for some people to enable them to think critically.)
And just as stress or drugs can adversely affect our ability to think critically, so too can being under the
influence of any strong emotion. It is true that some people do their best thinking under pressure, but usually we
can neither perceive clearly nor make good judgments while terrified, angry, jealous, etc. If we cannot learn to
control our emotions, we might at least try to avoid making any decisions while emotionally upset. Wait, if
possible, until a calmer moment arrives.