There are tennis courts for tennis, golf courses for golf and ski slopes for skiing. If thinking really is a skill where do we get to practice it? There are puzzles, crossword puzzles, detective stories and board games but these only cover a tiny part of thinking. Many people who are good thinkers and who enjoy thinking do not like solving puzzles or playing games – they prefer thinking that is broad and effective and has more to do with wisdom that with cleverness. We are forced to use our thinking when buying a house or changing a job. It would not be much good if we only practiced swimming when we were about to drown. Thinking only when we are forced to provides neither practice nor enjoyment. Thinking becomes like medicine: something we only use when we are in trouble. A thinking club is a place for the practice and enjoyment of thinking as a skill. There are no right answers to be reached and no tests.

A thinking club is for those who want to enjoy thinking and for those who want to develop their skill at thinking. Thinking is no different from any other skill or hobby – if you want to get enjoyment from it you need to put in some effort. Walking along the road will not make you a better tennis player or a better skier. You need deliberate practice in a place that is set up for it.