Philosophy and Empty Deceit

From today's Lectionary, a reading from Colossians 2:

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ."

Good advice and sound.  Of course, one of the best ways to make sure no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit is to study philosophy yourself so you can learn to distinguish bad thinking from good.  At any rate, I am not aware of anyone ever successfully and consistently avoiding bad thinking by avoiding thinking altogether.