Decades ago, in elementary school, I remember my teachers encouraging students to “put on your thinking cap” when they wanted us — as modern pedagogy would say — to engage our cognitive skills.

Today, as we approach a new semester, I suspect that many teachers will encourage their students with similar language. Let’s hope so, because now, perhaps more than ever, novel and independent thinking has some high hurdles to clear. And this is at a time when contemporary global challenges still require it.