...The Nature of Thinking Jennifer Sumen PHL/251 August 10, 2015 Dr. Michael Newman Myers The Nature of Thinking The nature of thought plays a huge role in an individual’s everyday life, weather it is their home life or professional life. As human beings we are faced with various situations that will require thinking. It is human nature for our thought process to be influenced by perception and personal barriers. This paper will discuss why as humans our thought process is so unique, how perception can completely change a situation in our thoughts and how personal barriers can also influence your thinking. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary thinking is “the action of using your mind to produce ideas, decisions, memories etc.: the activity of thinking about something: opinion or judgement”. (Merriam-Webster) Human thinking is very unique because of the fact that we as humans have feelings. Our thoughts and feelings are often intertwined and can have a huge influence on each other. People express their thoughts in many different ways. A few examples are: verbally, written form which can be through a letter, text message writing a song or poetry an email, thoughts can even be expressed physically through facial expressions and hand gestures. Why is it we as humans do this, well because without communicating our thoughts we cannot continue to learn and grow For example, if a person had a thought that the sky was purple and the clouds were pink but they never...
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...‘ Nature of Thougt PHL/251 August 8, 2013 Instructor Nature of Thought Thought plays a significant role in our day to day lives. From the time we wake up, to the time we go to sleep, we are thinking. Thinking, sensing, memory, perceptions, personal barriers, and thoughts are key influences to the nature of thought process. In this paper, I will describe my nature of thoughts and how it impacts my views of the thoughts process. Thinking is the practice of using one’s awareness to contemplate or reason about something. In order to think, one must use their senses. The sensing process allows us to use our senses to process our thoughts. There are five senses that everyone has, and they are sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Memory is another vital feature of thinking. Memory is the processes that one uses to gain, collect, recollect and eventually recover information. The medium of thinking it the final part of thinking. The medium is considered the most dynamic part of thinking. It medium is transmitted into the brain. Language is a part of the thinking medium. If a person is without language, they will be incapable of expressing or interpreting information to recall or to think. When I was 19 years old, I joined the United States Army. I was so nervous when it was time to leave my loved ones and go to basic training. I had heard so many horror stories about basic training. Even though I was nervous, I knew that God would give me the strength to make it through...
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...CRITICAL THINKING: Critical thinking is the process of the thought process, which is the cumulative result of the investigation of the some issues, which helps in the person for clarification of the subject matter. It is an open minded, reasoning ability which evolves as a process of thinking all the vital aspects related to the cause and the outcomes. By the process of the critical thinking, the progress of the person takes place, which helps the person to get at higher stage otherwise there, are chances that the person is reverted to the low grades. There is development of the conscious by the active participation of the critical thinking procedure. The critical thinking process is related with the evaluation of any issues through open mindedness, reasoning ability, fair mindedness and certain values. The evaluation process of the critical thinking is raising arguments. The three most important significant things about the critical thinking is the issue, assumption and the information. The subject matter related to the process of thinking critically is referred to as the issue. In the assumption, several features are being imagined hypothetically which is then correlated and confirmed by the actual information. Critical thinking is a relative criteria, it cannot be static in nature. It is dynamic in nature. It is being evaluated based on gradual development. The critical thinking is changed from time to time depending upon the situation and other criteria’s. My critical thinking...
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...明 本人郑重声明：所呈交的毕业论文是本人在指导老师指导下取得的研究成果。除了文中特别加以注释和致谢的地方外，论文中不包含其他人已经发表或撰写的研究成果。与本研究成果相关的所有人所做出的任何贡献均已在论文中作了明确的说明并表示了谢意。 签名： 年 月 日 授权声明 本人完全了解许昌学院有关保留、使用本科生毕业论文的规定，即：有权保留并向国家有关部门或机构送交毕业论文的复印件和磁盘，允许毕业论文被查阅和借阅。本人授权许昌学院可以将毕业论文的全部或部分内容编入有关数据库进行检索，可以采用影印、缩印或扫描等复制手段保存、汇编论文。 本人论文中有原创性数据需要保密的部分为（如没有，请填写“无”）： 签名： 年 月 日 指导教师签名： 年 月 日 | | | | Study on the Differences in Thinking Modes between Chinese and Western Culture | | | | |A Thesis Submitted | |to School of Foreign Languages, Xuchang University | |in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements | |for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts...
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...we are encouraged daily to look closely at the world around us and to try to understand it through an alert kind of critical thinking, but we are also persuaded to stand outside of this process and reflect on different assumptions, implications and methodologies involved in our relationship to and understanding of the world around us. These processes reconcile the need for creative and critical thinking because both are useful in forming a genuine understanding of the objective world, our relationship to each other and the actual knowledge process used for both. Therefore the question arises for college students which kind of thinking may be prioritized over the other when trying to make sound, valid and “true” claims. As a college learner I understand the process of generating knowledge to occur in both an individual and communal context, therefore different perspectives have to be assessed to arrive at objective truth. When assessing the need for interaction between critical and creative thought in generating knowledge, different perspectives arrive at different answers. For example, one common conception of critical thinking puts it above creative thinking in fundamental ways, asserting that creative thinking is secondary to critical. Another perspective holds that creative thinking sustains any other kind of philosophizing, because this mode of thinking brings into creation the very systems of thought used in the others kinds of philosophizing. I would argue that neither perspective...
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...and perhaps is a requisite to objective thinking, but too much safety seems to yield only danger in the long run"(Leopold 2). Tis quote from "Thinking Like a Mountain" supports that fact that author Aldo Leopold believes that humans should try to conserve nature as much as possible without changing the animals' natural habits. Similarly, in the documentary Cold Warriors: Wolves vs. Buffalo, director Jeff Turner explains that in Wood Buffalo National park (WBNP), animals are allowed to complete the circle of life without human interference. For this and other reasons Aldo Leopold would feel conflicted about what is happening in WBNP. One strong point to consider from the documentary is that wolves are able to naturally hunt and find the weakest animals to attack. They follow the herd and round them up into a chase. They spot the weakest bull and pounce at just the right time. Now, the bull is dead and the wolf pack has food for the week. Aldo...
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...DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND ARABIC COURSE: POSTMODERN PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION ASSIGNMENT 1 (SEMESTER 2) Write a short essay on Martin Heidegger’s philosophy. Also refer to the possible implications of Heidegger’s philosophy for religious thinking. Introduction The following essay will examine Martin Heidegger’s philosophy and its possible implications for religious thinking. Heidegger is one of the first major post-modern philosophers. Though he died in 1972 his magnum opus, Sien und Zeit was published in 1927. First, I will present various key issues in his philosophical thinking and then critically reflect on what consequences these issues have on religious thinking. It is important to point out that Heidegger’s philosophy is extremely complex and he never completed his second half of his endeavour, hence a brief explication will not do his thinking justice but a complete explanation is outside the scope of this essay. Therefore, in this essay I will primarily focus on Heidegger’s five key concepts; i) the transience of reality, ii) human existence, iii) Being-in-the world, iv) objects and things and v) metaphysics and Being. The transience of reality This ‘transience of reality’ according to Heidegger reflects the idea that everything is “temporary and changeable” (RST3708 Study Guide 2008:59). Whereas modern subjectivism refers to the “attitude in terms of which the whole of reality is traced back to the...
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...Gilgamesh stands for almost everything human made, culture, and the opposite of purity and untouched my nature. Enkidu on the other hand was created out of nature; he stands for everything earthy, nature, pure, and untouched. As the theory states, they are two opposites who do not appear to go together. I also applied Girard’s way of thinking about myth to the story as well. The violence that occurred was always justified in almost a sacrificial way (one thing must happen in order for another to follow). There was also rivalry between Gilgamesh and other characters, such as Humbaba. Both Gilgamesh and Humbaba are...
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...thoughts) and returned to Japan with Zen” (Koller 278). As Eisai returned, he forcefully headed to Kamakura to establish new temple. At Kamakura, Samurais recognized the importance of Zen in mental detachment and practices of daily life, they allowed Eisai to flourish the temple and after his death, Samurais built Rinzai school of Zen which exercised great influence in Japanese culture, thoughts, and philosophy. The origin of Japanese tea culture is also from Rinzai. Similar to original Buddhism, Zen Buddhism is not a theory or a conception of the world but it is practical experience. A person who meditates is already a Buddhist. One cannot truly understand or comprehend Zen Buddhism until experiencing it. “While intellectual understanding and thinking only grasp the subjects of representation of things, experiencing not only grasps subjects but also does not have distinction between subjects and objects” (282). One of the quotes of James Dean is “Live as if you’ll die today”. The quote has parallelism with the concept of Zen Buddhism because both emphasizing the experiences of present life. While practicing Zen Buddhism, a person should not concern about future or the past, but live and enjoy the moment. When a person thinks about future or have regrets of the...
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...Nature of Thought I have always been fascinated by Socrates’ bold quote “The unexamined life is not worth living” (Kirby, 2007, para. 1). He is very powerful with his chosen verbiage in this quote. He does not diminish his statement by saying that the unexamined life is less meaningful than it could be; he clearly states that the unexamined life is not even worth living. Socrates was a big believer in personal and spiritual growth. In fact, he believed that was the sole purpose of human life. Humans must make the time to examine and reflect on life in order to broaden the understanding of it. I will explain the nature of thought by describing what exactly thinking is, identifying a situation in my life where I had an altered perception and the types of perpetual blocks that influence my views. Thinking Thinking is the ability for a person to put in perspective his or her thought processes (Smith, 2003). Processes that allow a person to develop views on situations based on his or her beliefs and past experiences (Smith, 2003). Thinking uses the data that one previously learned to process the results and put it into action. Humans are the only creatures that can do this, we can think before we react. There is a strong need to express thoughts because it is human nature to want to explore and to learn. The mind is like any other muscle in the body and must be stimulated on a regular basis in order to reach and maintain full potential (Kirby, 2007). The eBook, Thinking: An Interdisciplinary...
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...Holism (System Thinking) VS. Reductionism Marion Johnson Wilmington University November 5, 2013 Table of Content Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 Reductionism 3 Holism 4 System Thinking 5 Conclusion 6 References 7 Holism (System Thinking) VS. Reductionism The objective of this research paper is to examine and understand the concepts of holism and reductionism and how they both relate to System Dynamics (SD). This is a part of System Thinking System Thinking (ST) that results a lack of commercial take up. The examination of Reductionism and Holism as applied through System Dynamics (SD) is applied in a broad range of area such as medicine, philosophy, physics, and other different areas of academics. Applications of Reductionism and Holistic principles were examined and defined in this paper. From the basis that SD as a Holistic/Reductionist methodology is deduced from a more differentiated general holistic nature of System Thinking (ST). Holism defined: All-encompassing view based on the knowledge the nature, functions, and properties of the components, their interactions, and their relationships to the whole (Business Dictionary.com). Reductionism defined: Material world-view in which complex phenomenon is broken down into conceptual chunks small enough to be analyzed or measured. The basis of all analysis reductionism is useful in understanding inanimate things or simple systems...
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...language and Igbo Philosophy, Fr. Dr. Chukwuelobe .M. explored the deep contribution of language to Igbo critical thinking via a tasking presentation on the phenomenology of Igbo language taking Igbo proverbs on “okwu” as his point of reflection. It shows the originality and pure nature of Igbo philosophy thereby, aborting the false view that Igbo philosophy is philosophizing in western concepts or dressing Igbo philosophy with western garb; Since, language as we know is ‘an experience that a thinker undergoes with the view to uncovering nature. This work is going to critically analyze and evaluate the author’s argument in this essay. TEXT EXPOSITION The author began by affirming the validity of Igbo philosophy when he argued that Igbo philosophy like every other philosophy ‘sets its goal to question the tradition from which it arises and to transcend it through an interpretive and critical activity of the Igbo thinker.’ Tracing the origin of language in the Igbo philosophy, he maintains that our experience with language is something historical because it relates to man who is historical in nature. Consequently, to understand the Igbo and discern what has come to language in his thought requires that a philosophy listens attentively to the sayings of the historical language; which is yet to be known and remains to be seen. He asserts that the Igbo traditional thinking derives essentially from oral transmission, which predates the advent of western civilization and Christianity...
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...develop knowledge between knowing how and understanding how. Knowing helps comprehend questions, from different perspectives. Someone learning philosophy can improve their critical thinking skills and create their own thoughts, not just the thoughts of others. Reaching from within and providing your own ideas can help create and understand your own personality. Students will be able to improve their analytical, reasoning and evaluation skills. Overall any student studying philosophy can benefit greatly from it. 2. Explain the Socratic Method of Teaching. Is this a useful way for students to learn? The Socratic Method of Teaching dates back to ancient Athenian times. Socrates was the wisest man states the Oracle. Socrates replied saying “he was wise because he admitted his ignorance.” Sadly Socrates never wrote down any of his thoughts however, Pluto wrote dialogue that reflected his views. His method is a good way for students to learn because it helps them develop critical thinking skills. It helps students improve their skills in analysis and opening up to thoughts and ideas. This method helps provide a foundation for answers we are looking for and puts those answers into perspective. 3. Explain how critical thinking can be used to analyze a philosophical issue. Critical thinking can be used to analyze a philosophical issue because it helps with understanding the issue at hand and comprehending those issues. Being able to think critically means that you...
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...Transcendentalism isn't a part of everyone but it's a very big part of me. I am a transcendentalist because I'm very optimistic, I'm independent, and I love nature. Transcendentalism is about having an open mind and being positive through thinking and living. Being optimistic is one reason to think I'm a transcendentalist. I love to always see the positives in situations and I've been told by many people that one of my best characteristics is always seeing the good in people. Emerson was an optimist about a lot of things. He was mostly optimistic about the goodness of human nature and just the goodness of the world as a whole. Always thinking positive and looking on them bright side is a good thing, you see the world and all of it imperfections and turn them into positives. Being optimistic not only makes me happier but I find that it makes others around me happy too....
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...Critical Thinking Application Paper Critical Thinking Application Paper University of Phoenix – Online Daisy Keys August 2, 2010 Instructor: Courtney Wilson Critical thinking is an important form of thinking in problem-solving and decision-making. An individual’s thought process has to be broken down from the natural thinking to begin thinking critically to determine the best non-bias solution within a situation or conflict. However, when thinking critically, one thinks about thinking while controlling emotions. In critical thinking we are looking for a reasonable and logical truth base solution toward any decision affecting us and the people around us. Critical thinking and decision-making is a process to discover the truth, and an important aspect of thinking is the process that relies on the ability to structure and coordinate ideas to make sense. However, teaching the mind to use the critical thinking process helps to understand information better. In this paper I will explain the nature of critical thinking, the irrational disposition, the role of emotions in critical thinking, and the benefits of critical thinking. The Nature of Critical Thinking The intellectual root of critical thinking is as ancient as its etymology, ultimately, traceable, to the vision and teaching practice of Socrates some 2,500 years ago who discovered by a method of exploring questions that people could not rationally justify sure claims to knowledge...
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