...Critical Thinking Essay Student Name PHL 251 – Critical Thinking University of Phoenix For Professor March 4, 2011 Critical Thinking Thinking impacts every moment of our lives and in performing the thinking challenge the realization that thinking could potentially be above everything else in our lives else was astounding. My first instinct was to place my family above thinking on the chart but then realized without thought, my wife and I may never have met. The actuality of the situation is that we think to breathe, walk, talk, and function; in chapter 13 we have found that we need accurate data provided by our senses and memory: clear, concise, contextually accurate language; controlled and effective feelings; clear structure; and solid logic. (Kirby, 2007) Each sense in our body feds the thought process, when we touch a hot stove senses tell our brain you are being burned and we pull back our hand away. From the point of a sensation we develop a memory, for good or for bad, to ensure that we either repeat or eliminate that action and we call these situations experiences. The burning on the stove is an experience we do not want to repeat; however, our first kiss with passion and warmth is something most people keep as a pleasant experience and try to replicate it. My wife and have been married for over 22 years and she never had a driver’s license until after we were married. In our relationship she is the emotional strength and I am the directional...
Words: 885 - Pages: 4
...Essay Using relevant SSK19 readings, in particular the four dimensions of reflective practice presented in Pavlovich (2007, 283), discuss the fundamental role that critical thinking plays in evaluating arguments at university. Most of us would believe that we make good decisions; but most of us find it uncommon practise to use the tool of critical thinking to enhance our thinking process which enables us to make better decisions. This essay with provide examples of critical thinking when evaluating arguments by using the different dimensional levels of reflective processes. Critical thinking in evaluating arguments is stated as an essential skill for student at university level, but can only be used to its best when it grouped with the tool of reflection. Most do believe, reflection and critical thinking go hand in hand as a process, just like a personal experience cannot be truly acknowledged within if you don’t ask the question, analyse, understand or action. The fundamental role that critical thinking plays in university arguments is that it allows the student to analyse, evaluate and draw conclusion by using their own mind and not be persuaded by other external or biased opinions. Pavlovich’s reading “The development of reflective practise through student journals” (Pavlovich 2007) refers to the four dimensional levels that she believes is the summary of reflective practise. The four dimensions of reflective method are, describing the experience, analysis of the experience...
Words: 1390 - Pages: 6
...Critical Thinking and Ethics by Chris Baker Instructor: George Carroll Class: Gen 201 Date: July 13, 2015 There are many ways to define critical thinking. One of them being making reasoned judgments that are logical and well thought out based on information gathered. There are six steps that need to be taken when involved in critical thinking. The first of critical thinking is knowledge, you want to make sure that you know what your topic is and be able to identify with all the different components. After you have knowledge of the topic your second step is comprehension. With comprehension, it is very imperative that you have complete understanding of what your topic is about. Application is your third step, in which you must know how to be able to apply the new material that you have been researching. After you have learned how to apply the new material you must be able to analyze your material. That means breaking down everything, prioritizing, and justifying everything in your material. The fifth step is synthesis. You have to have the right combination of analyzed parts to form a theory. The last step is to evaluate and by evaluating you are allowing to your work to be judged by your peers and yourself. My ethical lens blind spot is unrealistic role expectations. It means that I rely strongly on virtues associated with all the various roles, all while running the risk of unrealistic role expectations. I also rely to much on the virtues associated with...
Words: 554 - Pages: 3
...Critical Thinking and Ethics What is Critical thinking you ask? Critical thinking entails researching something, or evaluating an issue for example, in order to be able to form a judgment. Let’s face it; we can’t make any sort of judgment about anything before looking into that specific subject or situation first, and doing our research before beforehand. Critical thinking ties into a lot of things, especially decision making. We cannot make an educated decision without first using the critical thinking process. I think brainstorming is a great way to think critically, because it allows you to break things down and understand them better. It also makes researching easier. There are six levels that tie into critical thinking. The first level is remembering, test yourself and see if you can remember the events, facts, or key terms from the things you read, from lectures, or from life events. The second step is understanding. If you understand something then you are able to explain it in your own words. The third level is applying. Ask yourself, am I able to use what I’ve learned to get the results I want? The fourth level is analyzing, which in other words is breaking something down into small parts in order to get a better understanding. The fifth level is evaluating, form a judgment and have facts to back up your judgment. And the sixth and last level is creating, which is what you can create or come up with based on a specific idea. I learned a lot from my results...
Words: 565 - Pages: 3
...Intelligence of Leaders”, Goleman (1998), believes that emotional intelligence is leadership of the heart, which is essential to the success of a team or organization. Most leaders who show emotions and connect with others emotionally tend to lead high performance groups and are more to be ahead of their competitors. Goleman also talked about the anatomy of emotions and believe they are the very structure on which our brain is built. Emotions are what give us the ability to think and react rationally. In other words, without emotions, leaders could make decisions that could be detrimental to their teams’ performance. A decision that leads to a positive outcome, is one made when we control our feelings and not let them get in the way of our thinking process. Goleman’s believes were based on several researches. One study done by Stanford University, showed that kids who exhibited patience and were less impulsive, were betting at controlling their emotions as they got older. These kids had a greater advantage to succeed than those who were impatient and could not handle stress well. Goleman pointed out that this was also evident in the study done by The Center for Creative Leadership. Leaders who failed at their jobs did so, because they failed to effectively manage stress. They were unable to help their teams navigate changes. According to Goleman, emotional intelligence is measured through five main leadership characteristics. First there is self-awareness. This allows leaders...
Words: 1546 - Pages: 7
...Critical Thinking RaNetta Ashley GT05BSB15 June 10, 2015 Diane Hurley Critical Thinking Dictionary.com defines critical thinking as “disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence” (2015). The idea of critical thinking is mostly about the ability to objectively analyze a situation or issue so that one is able to make a clear, rational judgement. It is a process everyone uses, or should be able to use, for anything from which toilet paper to buy to how they select a life-mate or spouse. Steps in the Critical Thinking Process According to Becoming a Master Thinker, the basis for the critical thinking process for students is “They distinguish between opinion and fact. They ask probing questions and make detailed observations. They uncover assumptions and define their terms. They make assertions carefully, basing them on sound logic and solid evidence. Almost everything that we call knowledge is a result of these activities. This means that critical thinking and learning are intimately linked.” (2014, p. 204) Making a proper judgement through critical thinking is mostly just asking the right questions (who, what, when, where, why, and how?) and finding evidence to either support or argue against whatever information or situation is under consideration. Ethical Lens Inventory In having completed the Ethical Lens Inventory, I received the analysis of “Autonomy and Rationality/Sensibility” with the description of “you balance your personal skills...
Words: 792 - Pages: 4
...Critical Thinking and Ethics Critical thinking has a unique and complementary relationship with ethics. Critical thinking is what makes ethics come to life. In fact, it is imperative to “…develop critical-thinking skills, to recognize behavior and to understand different philosophical approaches to moral reasoning” (Manias, Monroe, & Till, 2013, Para.2). The principles and rules of critical thinking are applicable to ethical reasoning because they enable a mental process of evaluation that helps guide us to decisions based on truths and information that is verified. Ultimately, “Ethical principles mean something only when manifested in behavior. They have force only when embodied in action” (Paul & Elder, 2011, Para.5). It is only through true critical thinking analysis that our ethical reasoning will translate into exemplary forms of actions. If everyone followed the rules and guidelines of logic, there would still be a need for ethical decision making. The reason is because, “the forces that shape us and the institutions that nurture us are complex and sometimes contradictory” (Manias, Monroe, & Till, 2013, Para. 1). Much like ethics (morals, values, individual beliefs and sense of right and wrong), our logic is largely influenced by our background and experiences. Therefore it is too overwhelmed with emotion, making it unreliable for ethical decision making. If a woman finds out that the powerplant she works for is guilty of...
Words: 317 - Pages: 2
...Critical Thinking and Language Essay University of Phoenix PHL 251: Critical Thinking February 6, 2006 Course Facilitator: William Salmon The purpose of this essay is multifaceted. I will describe an aspect of my life using metaphors; discuss the role that language and language diversity play in the critical thinking process; discuss how language can limit or empower the expression of our thoughts; and discuss the role of critical thinking in persuasion. Life has its ups and downs and in the past several months I have faced more downs than ups. As nurses we are trained to care for other and be aware for the signs and symptoms of multiple disease processes. When it comes to ourselves we tend to ignore all the warning signs of our body when it comes to any impending illnesses. In September a seemingly harmless virus turned into a painful auto immune disease that will affect me for the rest of my life. I usually avoid doctors and hospitals like the plaque when I’m not at work, so by the time I was forced to go to the emergency room I was as weak as a kitten. My gut was twisted in knots while I waited for the doctor imagining every possible cause of my problem. After hearing the diagnosis and being told that I had to be admitted to the hospital I was at the end of my rope. I was in denial, I don’t get sick often and it’s never serious. I’m a nurse I get exposed to countless germs and am never sick more than a few days; I was too young to be...
Words: 1009 - Pages: 5
...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
...The Relationship between Critical Thinking and Ethics GEN/201 July 27, 2014 The Relationship between Critical Thinking and EthicsCritical thinking is when exercising or involving careful judgment or judicious evaluation. (Version 3.0.3) This means you take all the facts to narrow down the decisions of a situation or problem. In critical thinking there are six types of thinking, as described by psychologist Benjamin Bloom. They are remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating and creating. (Ellis, 2015, p. 205) The process in which to use the six types of thinking is a three-step process of checking your attitude, checking for logic and checking the evidence. (Ellis, 2015, p. 205) This process will help you move through the six levels with more ease. Checking your attitude helps you in keeping an open mind and also being open to others point of views. While checking for logic, it can help you see assertions and assumptions in most situations. Checking for evidence requires you to find proof. To find the proof you must ask more in-depth questions, look in books and check other sources to find the evidence. According to my Ethical Lens Inventory Report my preferred lens are rights-responsibility and results lens. This means I balance reasoning and intuition to determine how to full fill my duties while achieving the greatest good for each individual. My blind spot is that I believe that my motive justifies method or that my own good is good enough. This...
Words: 620 - Pages: 3
...What Is Critical Thinking? Essay Question Details: Find three sources that discuss critical thinking. One source should be from the assigned and/or optional readings, and the other two should be found through your own research. Read the three sources, and consider how they define critical thinking. In 300-500 words, explain your own personal definition of critical thinking. Keep the following guidelines in mind: Select a direct quote from one of your resources to include in your explanation. A reference page that documents the three sources you found (and any other resources you used) is required. Remember, all outside sources must be cited both in-text and on your reference page. The articles you found in your research may influence your definition, but your own ideas should be evident. In other words, your process should be: a) Read some definitions and descriptions of critical thinking; b) Comprehend or digest the information; and c) Write your own definition of critical thinking. (Note: Do not simply reword the definitions you read. Consider a new way to explain what you understand critical thinking to be.) Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin...
Words: 392 - Pages: 2
...critical thinking and ethics Brittney Cox 16 June 2015 critical thinking and ethics Brittney Cox 16 June 2015 Rita Nicely Eth/316 Rita Nicely Eth/316 Is it ethical to clone human organisms? This is one of the many questionable practices of science. Critical thinking can help justify or invalidate one of many situations that could possibly be considered inhumane in accordance of ethics. “Critical thinking is the systematic process of communication, problem solving, evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and reflection, both individually and in community, to foster understanding, support sound decision making, and guide action.” (Ethics Applied, 7th Edition, 2013, p. 75) Ethics and critical has a direct connection when determining ethical decisions. Ethics is basically determining what is right and wrong. Ethics will vary based on one’s culture and simple moral and values. Critical thinking can be applied with ethics to make the best possible to decision to what is right with the use of logic. For example, a doctor allegedly took a couple’s frozen embryo and gave it to another couple. Years later the couple found out and sued the doctor. Critically thinking about the situation the doctor was clearly ethically wrong. (Thinking Critical about Ethical Issues, 9th Edition, 2015, p. 181) He may have been thinking he was helping this couple that could not conceive but clearly stole from another couple whether they were going to use the embryo or not. To get more...
Words: 381 - Pages: 2
...Social Media Affect Mohamad Badaoui Devry University PHIL-447: Logic and Critical Thinking April 5, 2016 Abstract Social does have its positive affects on behavior and it is a great tool, however, it does have plenty of negative affects on behavior. A lot of people now days, have lost their sense of personality, sense of humor, and cannot interact the same way because of what social media had done to them. I have seen people basically develop different personalities because of social media. Over social media they act a certain way, but when they are face-to-face they are completely different people. This is largely due to people expressing their feelings and emotions behind their phones, but when it comes time to do so verbally, they cannot. Especially the younger generations, people who are about 24 years and younger are so dependent on social media and the Internet. Before technology was so booming, people were not relying on social media, or interactions behind screens as much. That basically explains why older generations are better at face-to-face verbal conversations compared to the younger generations. The younger generations have been exposed to all of this technology such as advanced social media. They are accustomed to it, they communicate through the Internet, but then when it comes to verbal communications in person, younger generations have lost some of their communication skills. They are more socially awkward now a day. I have seen people who do not know...
Words: 1550 - Pages: 7
...The given article illustrates the use of Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour (ATPB) in explaining the persisting slash-and-burn behaviours in Indonesia. However, it remains debatable whether ATPB can adequately do so. This essay will critique the suitability of ATPB in explaining the problem through analysing the author’s argument, examining the evidence employed, uncovering underlying assumptions, and finally, seeking alternative theories to better explain the issue. Figure 1. Model of Azjen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour. It shows how behaviour can be predicted by considering intention, which is determined by three interacting factors. To some extent, ATPB is able to explain the plantation’s behaviour by acknowledging several factors that can each influence behaviour to a small extent i.e. attitude towards the behaviour, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control. For instance, on attitude, the author claimed plantations favour slash-and-burn as “it is much cheaper, convenient and less time consuming [than other methods]”. Having a favourable attitude towards slash-and-burn encourages plantations to carry it out, but is overall insufficient given restrictive circumstances e.g. strict controls. Now consider perceived behavioural control – the author claimed plantations perceive great ease in slashing-and-burning due to high self-efficacy from successfully practicing slash-and-burn for generations without being caught. Yet, on its own, perceived ease does not always...
Words: 1122 - Pages: 5
...APOL 104 Critical Thinking Essay This term we have covered a reasonable amount of materials based on the different types of religions in the world. There are many religions that have strong views and principles, and in order to understand them we must have an open mind and a true understanding of their beliefs. For the purpose of this essay, I will focus on the world views of Islam and compare it to Christianity. Part I Islam is a traditional monotheistic religion that urbanized in the Middle East, Common Era was 622 A.D. According to the Arabic faith, Islam means “Submission” to the will of God . Followers of Islam are known as Muslims. They believe Islam was founded on the teachings of the last Holy Prophet Muhammad. Abraham, Moses and Jesus (to name a few) were also a series of prophets of Allah. Muslims believe “Allah” is the only God. He is the creator and sustainer of the world, Muhammad was his messenger. In Islam, Allah created mankind separate from animals. Animals are not abused nor killed. Muslims endeavor’s to live an Islamic lifestyle. They sustain their identity by believing Islam is the only way of life. They fully submitted to the will of Allah by being good and doing what’s right has human beings. Muslims seek knowledge and guidance from the sacred scriptures of Qur’an. Muslims hypothetical assumed the Bible became a misrepresentation of God. The Holy Prophet Muhammad repeated the words of God through the Angel Gabriel. Muhammad and ...
Words: 1040 - Pages: 5
