Premium Essay

Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays

In:

Submitted By bogiefan54
Words 813
Pages 4
Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays
Week One
Describe a situation of public interest in which critical and/or creative thought could have been used for a better outcome. Describe why it is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations. One situation that comes immediately to mind is the phenomenon of climate change we are currently dealing with and how we are woefully unprepared to cope with it. If critical and/or creative thought had been used by all concerned, instead of fear and denial, we would be in a better position to handle and curtail these climate changes. When the data that pointed to human-induced climate change first was made public, it seemed that fear and hysteria was the common theme in most discussions of the problem. It has gotten better in recent years but it may be a case of too little, too late.
It is important to think critically and creatively because it helps you to see the whole picture. When you think critically, all sides of the problem such as history, a source, a context are considered making a realistic and effective solution to a problem more likely.
Define free will, truth, knowledge, and opinion. Explain how we use them to form thoughts. What role does each play in critically assessing situations?
We have free will when we have the freedom of self-determination, action and ability to make choices. If the choice is consistent with a person's desires and nature then it is representative of a person’s free will.
The truth is absolute and only waiting to be discovered. Sometimes this takes ages. In the interim, theories and speculation pass as the truth. We may call them truths but these assumptions will change over time until the real truth is finally discovered.
Knowledge is the sum of all ideas or understandings within an individual that are used to take effective action to achieve

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Critical and Creative Thinking

...Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essay l and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essay A situation of public interest that comes to mind is legalizing marijuana. So many people thing that legalizing it is a great thing because of health reasons but what about what kids think about it. Some people feel that legalizing marijuana should have a more critical thought process to it. Some children feel that since marijuana is becoming legal in so many states “because of medical reasons,” they think that it is ok to smoke. Not only is it not ok it is illegal, in the way that they are using it. Children think that it is their free will (make unimpeded choices) to smoke marijuana because it is accepted by society. It is the children opinions (their thoughts not factual) that smoking marijuana is the “cool” thing to do. Truth – fact or belief that is accepted as true Knowledge – familiarity and awareness Three hindrances in critical thinking are: problem solving, making decisions that benefit everyone, not just you and good thinking strategies. A way to overcome some of these obstacles is to slow down and do not be so quick to respond. Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture and think of the choices based on what the outcome would be as a whole. A message in advertising that some people struggle with is the lost weight advertising. It gives people the thought that if they take these pills or eat this certain meal that they will instantly lose weight...

Words: 279 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Phl/458

...Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays Joshua T Lemmerman PHL/458 April - 13 - 2015 Matthew Fallesen Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays A couple months back there was a gentleman by the name of Eric Garner. This man was from New York and got into an altercation with police. Eric Garner was no angel, but he was not complying with the police officers. One of the police was given an order to subdue the gentleman via chokehold. Eric had asthma and the chokehold ultimately ended his life. Now the public is completely appalled and sickened by events like these. We are not police and sometimes we do not understand how hard their job really is. This situation could have had a completely different outcome if the police had actually had a critical and creative thought process before the chokehold order was given. It is hard because the police did not know this man was asthmatic, but they went off instinct and were trying to detain the gentleman from moves they have been taught. The police in this situation did not use critical thinking to their advantage. Instead they trusted the orders that they had been given. This entire situation could have been avoided by simple critical and creative thinking. They did not evaluate the issue in order to form their judgment. There was no evaluation thought at all, just the simple fact that they were given the order to use excessive force and it cost Mr. Garner his life. If the police would have been able to...

Words: 1031 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Virginia Woolf Final Essay

...Virginia Woolf Final Essay The modern society established today has improved upon the topic of human freedom and rights. In our country, United States of America, has eliminated segregation among black and white and has giving women civil rights within the last century. In the excerpt from Virginia Woolf’s, “Shakespeare’s Sister,” from the novel A Room of One’s Own, emphasizes the double standards for men and women. The essay explains a woman’s job to be at home and the man to be work and create. Professor B, makes the strongest interpretation because he uses external sources, points out women and man double standards, and makes analytical interpretations based upon the essay. Virginia Woolf essay gathers information about the never heard sister of Shakespeare. It establishes may analytical points, which explain the main reason Shakespeare’s sister was and is not heard of often. This Professor A, gives dates throughout his interpretation but does not provide a source to give credibility to them. Professor C, uses many direct quotes from the quotation, which give credibility to his points. . Professor B, through his short essay interpretation clearly brings outside sources to give the reader a better understanding of the Virginias overall message. He uses the, “the short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, where the main character, a distressed woman, is held captive in a summer home on a “rest cure” prescribed by her doctor/husband, who believes her...

Words: 698 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Creative Thinking Essay

...Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays Week One Describe a situation of public interest in which critical and/or creative thought could have been used for a better outcome. Describe why it is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations. One situation that comes immediately to mind is the phenomenon of climate change we are currently dealing with and how we are woefully unprepared to cope with it. If critical and/or creative thought had been used by all concerned, instead of fear and denial, we would be in a better position to handle and curtail these climate changes. When the data that pointed to human-induced climate change first was made public, it seemed that fear and hysteria was the common theme in most discussions of the problem. It has gotten better in recent years but it may be a case of too little, too late. It is important to think critically and creatively because it helps you to see the whole picture. When you think critically, all sides of the problem such as history, a source, a context are considered making a realistic and effective solution to a problem more likely. Define free will, truth, knowledge, and opinion. Explain how we use them to form thoughts. What role does each play in critically assessing situations? We have free will when we have the freedom of self-determination, action and ability to make choices. If the choice is consistent with a person's desires and nature then it is representative of a person’s...

Words: 813 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Critical and Creative Thinking

...Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays PHL/458 Describe a situation of public interest in which critical and/or creative thought could have been used for a better outcome. Describe why it is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations. The story that really jumps out to me is the Ebola virus that has been hitting our country. When introduced to us we saw the bad affects of the situation hitting and that we should be scared. The news gave little no information about what they knew accept for the dangers. Know lets say that they gave this creative thought about how they would present this to people. I would think that things would have been different. Like giving people preventive measures to survive and how to out last the situation. It is so important to think critical on times like these because often people fear the worse and dictate how they live there life’s on information that they hear. When being in the public eye and a voice to the ear of the people. Having information and solutions is very important to ease minds and have confidence of survival rather that people feeling helpless. Define free will, truth, knowledge, and opinion. Explain how we use them to form thoughts. What role does each play in critically assessing situations? Free will - free and independent choice; voluntary decision (free Will) This is mostly used when just thinking in general. This is having a mined for your self and...

Words: 951 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Need Help

...MECN1001: Critical Thinking Component Science Fiction Course reader Semester 2, 2015 “If science fiction is the mythology of modern technology, then its myth is tragic.” – Ursula Le Guin Lecturer and course co-ordinator: Ms Linda Mabin Linda.Mabin@wits.ac.za CM, 3rd Floor, East Wing, ADU (011) 717-7064 MECN1001: Critical Thinking Course Outline Science Fiction is a genre that is growing in currency around the world as a literature of cognitive estrangement, and one that has immense universal value because of this. To distance oneself from the ascendant structures of power is to perceive the world anew, filled with potential for change. For this reason, Science Fiction is a literature of immense value for a country such as South Africa. Approaching the challenges of a nation such as this requires an imagination trained to be meticulous in its logic, but unrestrained by the restrictions of present reality. Each tutorial activity is crafted to correlate with the concerns of the lecture material. Tutorials transpose the fundamental concerns dealt with in the subject matter of the lectures and ‘activate’ these ideas by having students demonstrate their knowledge not just in the form of individual written exercises, but through the vitally necessary process of engaging their tutors and peers in structured discussion. It is thus clear that the success of a tutorial is dependent on student participation, and as clear that the success of a tutorial depends on students being intrigued...

Words: 1445 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Critical and Creative Thinking in Society

...Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays PHL/458 December 1, 201X XXX Introduction Critical and creative thinking are an important part of everyday life. First, this paper will describe a situation of public interest in which these could have been used for a better outcome. Next, it will define free will, truth, knowledge and opinion, how they are used to form thoughts and the role they play in critically assessing situations. It will also identify three hindrances to the critical thinking process with an experience. Lastly, it will identify a message in advertising, how it was perceived, and the reality of the advertisement and distinguish between perception and the reality of the message. Situation of Public Interest The current situation of public interest that will be discussed is the selling of swastika ridden wrapping paper by Walgreens. Walgreens was carrying the wrapping paper in celebration of Hanukkah when customers started to notice the swastikas. This is clearly offensive to the Jewish community who would be purchasing the wrapping paper. As a result the product has been pulled from the shelves (Huffington Post, 2014). This situation could have been avoided if a quality assurance individual or product reviewer was consulted. It is those individuals job to review the product and gage how consumers will perceive the product. The review process should include a checklist with critical thinking questions one it. One example would be...

Words: 1042 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Managing

...profession-like objectives and how to guide others to meet collective responsibility in morally challenging situations. To do so, the subject develops the concept of stewardship to help leaders to better understand how to promote and sustain the symbiotic integrity of business and society, i.e. where business serves society's needs for not just products and services but in ways that earn public trust and respect. The approach taken in the subject delivery and associated assignments is to encourage students to recognise the place of business in society and to cultivate a personal commitment toward earning and sustaining public trust in consideration of others in their business judgments and decision-making. SUBJECT PRECIS An understanding of managing, leading and stewardship is foundational to the development of students as responsible and accountable leaders, managers, followers and stewards. This subject aims to prepare students to meet profession-like objectives and how to guide others to meet collective responsibility in morally challenging situations. To do so, the subject develops the concept of stewardship to help leaders to better understand how to promote and sustain the symbiotic integrity of business and society, i.e. where business serves society's needs for not just products and services but in ways that earn public trust and...

Words: 5552 - Pages: 23

Free Essay

Canada

...“Canada is an unknown territory for the people who live in it, and I’m not talking about the fact that you may not have taken a trip to the Arctic or to Newfoundland, you may not have explored as the travel folders have it – This Great Land of Ours. I’m talking about Canada as a state of mind, as the space you inhabit not just with your body but with your head. It’s that kind of space in which we find ourselves lost. What a lost person needs is a map of the territory, with his own position marked on it so he can see where he is in relation to everything else. Literature is not only a mirror; it is also a map, a geography of the mid. Our literature is one such map, if we can learn to read it as our literature, as the product of who and where we have been. We need such a map desperately; we need to know about here, because here is where we live. For the members of a country or culture, shared knowledge of their place, their here, is not a luxury but a necessity. Without that knowledge we will not survive.” Margaret Atwood, Survival As Atwood’s statement demonstrates, Canadian literature is concerned with place and displacement, and with the development of an effective identifying relationship between self and environs. Canada’s literature whether written in English or French reflects three main parts of Canadian experience. First, Canadian writers often emphasize the effects of climate and geography on the life and work of their people. Second, frontier’s...

Words: 3528 - Pages: 15

Free Essay

Paper One

...Introduction to Sociology SOC 110 Catalog Description: As an introductory survey of sociology, it is designed to give a broad overview of the field of sociology. It focuses on all aspects of society, culture, social interaction, institutions, group processes, social control, diversity and inequality based on race, ethnicity, class, gender, etc., and the causes and nature of social stability and social change. As a three hour credit course, SOC110 provides the equivalent of 45 hours lecture or classwork. Students are expected to complete an additional 90 hours in homework, study time and completion. (3 credits) Course Objectives: 1. Students will be able to analyze and explain how groups, societies, and cultures address human needs and concerns. 2. Students will be able to describe the importance of cultural unity, diversity, and globalization (NCCS Standards 1.1 and 1.9). 3. Students will be able to understand sociological concepts and apply them in describing the interactions among individuals, groups and institutions (NCCS Standards 1.5 and 1.6). 4. Students will be able to identify and analyze historical change in social institutions, the organization of power, and social movements (NCCS Standards 1.2 and 1.6). 5. Students should be able to explain and apply modes of inquiry drawn from the social sciences in the examination of persistent issues and social problems. Competencies: ▪ The student should be able to define important sociological concepts...

Words: 4184 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

Anthony Burgess

...may develop our own interpretations of a story. With any given literacy we’ll comprehend and draw our own conclusions by the way of critical thinking. As a result, everyone does not view a single story the same way or draws the same conclusions to a stories ending. It’s up to the reader to “see” how it should play out. However, amid such freedom and range evolves readers of criticism and/or bias opinions towards various styles of literature. An author whose work has been of much negative criticism could be due to a reader of some ignorance towards the understanding of the context. Deficient to connect with a piece of literature, judgments of society, lack of critical thinking and understanding makes for a category of controversial authors. Among controversial authors’ such as, J.D. Salinger’s The Cather in the Rye, Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code, J.K. Rowling’s The Harry Potter Series, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Hasan, 2008), George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, so is Anthony Burgess’s most controversial novel A Clockwork Orange. Over the past fifty years, readers have deemed Burgess’s novel taboo disgusted with the unbolted image of sex, drugs, violence, and politics. In result, his work had been banned from several locations internationally. Meanwhile, open-minded readers will consider Anthony’s work as a piece of art, creative, raw and extraordinary, over more they can come to some understanding of the underlining thoughts Burgess had towards politics, discipline...

Words: 1248 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Importance Of Education In Singapore

...the present. (MOE, 1997) The 21st century competencies include communication, collaboration and information skills, civic literacy, global awareness and cross-cultural skills, literacy skills like media and technology literacy, life skills such as social and leadership skills and lastly, critical and inventive thinking skills....

Words: 2120 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts

...Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts Peter A. Facione The late George Carlin worked “critical thinking” into one of his comedic monologue rants on the perils of trusting our lives and fortunes to the decision-making of people who were gullible, uninformed, and unreflective. Had he lived to experience the economic collapse of 2008 and 2009, he would have surely added more to his caustic but accurate assessments regarding how failing to anticipate the consequences of one’s decisions often leads to disastrous results not only for the decision maker, but for many other people as well. After years of viewing higher education as more of a private good which benefits only the student, we are again beginning to appreciate higher education as being also a public good which benefits society. Is it not a wiser social policy to invest in the education of the future workforce, rather than to suffer the financial costs and endure the fiscal and social burdens associated with economic weakness, public health problems, crime, and avoidable poverty? Perhaps that realization, along with its obvious advantages for high level strategic decision making, is what lead the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to comment on critical thinking in his commencement address to a graduating class of military officers. Teach people to make good decisions and you equip them to improve © 2013, 2011, 2006, 2004, 1998, 1992, Peter A. Facione, Measured Reasons and The California Academic Press...

Words: 14085 - Pages: 57

Free Essay

Homelessness Is More Appealing

...Professor Beth Riley October 23, 2013 Homelessness is More Appealing Many of us will never be homeless, and not everyone understands the benefit of having a wife, but after reading the essays’, Homeless (Quindlen, A. n.d.) and I Want a Wife (Brady, J. 1971), one can gain a better understanding of both. I am a wife. Therefore, I can certainly connect with the narrator’s story of I Want a Wife. This is a narrative essay, in which the narrator reflects on why she too would like to have a wife after a visit with a recently divorced male friend, who is looking for a new wife. The narrator gives a list of duties and activities she will and will not do if she had a wife, and she can visualize the benefits a wife could afford her with less responsibilities and more time for school or friends. My other essay of choice is quite different in theme, but it is still relatable. Anne Quindlen’s essay, Homeless (n.d.) is a short descriptive essay with the narrator retelling of an account when she met a woman, who she believes is homeless, at the bus terminal. It is during the encounter that the narrator reflects on homeless people in general, the homeless individual and about herself. Both of these essays’ are well written, however, I feel that Homeless (Quindlen, A. n.d.), is a more appealing essay than I Want a Wife (Brady, J. 1971), as it allows the reader to become more engaged in the descriptions and reflect on the details of the story. Whenever I first start reading any type of...

Words: 1517 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Learning Perspective and Lesson Plans

...Learning Perspective and Lesson Plans Classical conditioning was developed by Ivan Pavlov who discovered that animals as well as people can be conditioned to respond to a stimulus when the stimulus is not always present. Today its implications extend further to dissolving inappropriate responses and helping with the education of students. Under this section there are two methods to use: (1) present the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus thus causing the conditioned response to disappear and (2) use counter-conditioning, more desirable responses are conditioned to offset the inappropriate conditioned responses (Utexas.edu). Students should actually look forward to learning and doing the homework instead of dreading it (Utexas.edu). Some familiar classical conditioning responses in a classroom include: (1) the teacher entering the room and the students becoming quiet. (2) The teacher begins the lesson and the students have their pencil and paper ready. Previously, the teacher had to instruct the students in both situations on how to get ready for the class. After repeated instruction the students begin to perform the actions automatically without the teacher having to speak to them. Skinner is the founder of operant conditioning which involves the subject performing an action and then experiencing a consequence. Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment are found under this type of learning perspective (Utexas.edu). According to...

Words: 1321 - Pages: 6