What is a free thinker?

What does it mean to be a free thinker?

I searched for a definition and found this: A free thinker is someone who forms their own opinions and beliefs based on reason, logic, and evidence rather than relying on tradition, authority, or societal expectations.

This definition makes me question those who claim to be free thinkers yet primarily express opinions that align with a particular tradition, political party, or religious ideology.

However, forming an independent opinion based on reason, logic, and evidence still requires engaging with tradition, authority, and societal norms. The key is knowing how to critically evaluate these influences rather than simply accepting or rejecting them outright.

It seems to me that being a true free thinker means taking the extra step of forming your own conclusions while also recognizing when tradition and authority have value—and when it’s necessary to move beyond them.

I don’t subscribe to the idea of aligning my thinking entirely with a political party or following its directives without question. Perhaps, then, the concept of a free thinker needs to be reimagined.

Reflection Question:

How can you ensure that your beliefs are truly your own and not just a reflection of external influences?