By John Maruskin

Clark County Public Library

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the library’s discussion group, Meeting of Minds, begins the year by considering negative capability.

That’s not about being a klutz.

Negative capability is a phrase first used by Romantic poet John Keats (in a letter written Dec. 22, 1817, to his brothers George and Thomas) to characterize great writers’ abilities to pursue artistic beauty even when that leads to intellectual confusion and uncertainty.

The phrase is generally used to describe the ability to observe, think and act beyond presuppositions.

It’s colloquially defined as “keeping your head.”

Thinking about thinking is something we rarely do.

We take our thoughts for granted, never wondering how we came up with them, whether they are really our own, or if we really believe them.

Evaluating, weeding and decluttering the brain is never a bad idea.

If you would like to get that out of the way before you start spring cleaning, head (pun intended) into the call No. 153 section of the library and you will find some great instructions.

For basic instructions about critical thinking, there’s “How to Think About Weird Things: Critical Thinking for a New Age,” by Theodore Schick, Jr. and Lewis Vaughn (call No. 001.901 Schi).

This book is introduced by Martin Gardner and is endorsed by the editor of Skeptic Magazine, Michael Schermer.

In clear, straightforward language, it stresses fundamental principles for evaluating outlandish claims and describes why those principles are important.

A similar book is Thomas Kida’s “Don’t Believe Everything You Think: The Six Basic Mistakes We Make in Thinking” (call No. 153.42 Kida). It’s a readable, engaging discussion of the best-documented errors people make in everyday situations and full of practical advice about how to evaluate claims and make decisions.

The Science Guy, Bill Nye, wrote a combination memoir, critical-thinking guide called “Everything All At Once” (call No. 153.4 Nye).

In it, he relates how he learned to evaluate and solve complex problems by using a blend of curiosity, patience and creativity, something he labels a “nerd minds set” that leads to positive change.

I began this column by talking about negative capability, which is about being comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t include Jamie Holmes’ “Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing” (call No. 153.4 Holm).

Being confused is unpleasant. Humans are hardwired to need certainty. Dangers of that need include irrational conviction in first answers found in the wrong place or through muddled thinking.

“Nonsense” describes how to be comfortable with uncertainties until valid solutions arise.

These are a small sampling of the most general critical thinking books available from the library.

Critical thinking about a specific topic can be found in the topic section.

As always, if you need help with a subject, ask a staff member.

If you would like to join the Meeting of Minds discussion about negative capability come to the Community Room Tuesday evening.

There are two readings for this month’s discussion. They can be found at: https://aeon.co/essays/deny-and-become-the-radical-ethos-of-negative-capability; and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_capability. Contact me if you would like a printed copy.

Other programs next week:

— At 11 a.m. Monday, All Over the Page Book Group discusses “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine,” by Gail Honeyman. Despite social isolation and the rules she sets to survive weekends – Eleanor Oliphant insists that she is just fine. But, is she really? The gentle overtures of a coworker who accepts her as she is gives her the emotional support she needs when a horrific (and embarrassing) event forces her to reevaluate her life. Books are available at the Circulation Desk.

— At 2 p.m. Wednesday, Kentucky Picture Show presents a 2018 romantic comedy, based on a global bestseller, that follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu to Singapore to meet her boyfriend’s family. Rated PG-13.

— At 7 p.m. Wednesday, trivia-mania at the Engine House Pizza Pub with puzzler-professional Jeff Gurnee.

— At 10 a.m. Friday, Write Local. Now held in the Community Room so, as Thoreau advised, our thoughts have ample room.

We encourage you to leave your thinking cap on when you enter the library.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.