Week 3 Critical Thinking!
Now we’re at the third hurdle!! Congrats!
Today we are dependent on the internet and search engines giving us the answers without us having to do the hard work, so it is important to be able to conduct your own research with dependency on others and be able to sort out your own conclusion! This where Critical Thinking takes the stand!
This week we will be discussing critical thinking in relation to being interdisciplinary. But first you have to understand what “Critical Thinking” is?
Here are some helpful key points:
· Rely on reason rather than emotion
· Seek evidence and follow it
· Try to find the best explanation
· Weigh the influences: motives, objectivity, ect.
· Ask questions! this is the most important ;)
Next we’ll discuss the virtual philosopher- a fun way to do some critical thinking without have to think about it!
I did not do this assignment when I took cornerstone so I did it now. It seems I am pretty consistent with my ethical boundaries except on lying. I like to make sure I can justify everything I do, but lying, in my opinion brings on more levels of thought then just right and wrong. Like long and short term commitments and consequences… so sometimes lies are necessary…but I would rather tell my she’s odd then try and make her feel better, so I guess I am inconsistent and mean!
Now it’s your turn please give us your thoughts on these questions:
- How does your critical thinking relate to being interdisciplinary?
- Reflect on the Virtual Philosopher assignment. What insight have you gained about your own critical thinking and reasoning? Were you consistent?
- Does the outline of your critical thinking disposition match what you did through the Virtual Philosopher? How?
I believe that critical thinking relates to IDS in the form decision making. I feel making choices are a critical way to think. You come up with your own conclusion of what you feel is right and wrong. That why when I think I always try to thing critically knowing that there is more than one thought and answer to a problem. When relating to IDS I think of it as how IDS combines majors and feeling which majors coincide with each other.
ReplyDeleteThat is the online philosopher opinion he thinks that some time lying is necessary. Which I don't believe to be true. I feel like this philosopher contradicts himself. He should make clear that he does like lying or he feel that lying is bad. The thing I notice it is consistence of is the fact that it has to do with lying. The only insight I gain from this is be careful on what online sources you look at and don't lie.
My outline didn't match at all, I felt as if the virtual philosopher was not clear on his point and needed to clarify on many things. He was explaining about lying but giving negative and positive feedback. To me this confuses the reader not letting them understand what the meaning of the article is. But yes you did have to use your critical thinking skills to figure out what the virtual philosopher was implying.
I'm glad to see I'm no the only one seeing some issues with lying.
ReplyDeleteBut sometimes telling the truth can also cause more harm than good, and sometime retaining the truth can be just as bad. Its all a perception of honesty.
How does your critical thinking relate to being interdisciplinary?
ReplyDeleteI think that critical thinking relates to interdisciplinary studies in that I had to think critically and look at what major would be best for me. I weighed my options and used reason rather than emotion in deciding that interdisciplinary studies was the right path for me.
Reflect on the Virtual Philosopher assignment. What insight have you gained about your own critical thinking and reasoning? Were you consistent?Does the outline of your critical thinking disposition match what you did through the Virtual Philosopher? How?
For these last two questions can someone direct me to where I'm supposed to find stuff about the virtual philosopher?
I think critical thinking relates to being interdisciplinary in the sense that a student has to use their critical thinking skills in order to determine which areas of study to focus on and which classes to take. The student must look at all the possibilities available to them and what the results may be. Students can do this by speaking to other students, professors, and advisors. Also, they want to research career opportunities and what qualifications are required.
ReplyDeleteI am unsure what/where virtual philosopher is. Can someone please assist, thank you.
@ nikim:
ReplyDelete1. Click the link below which will take you to an interactive exercise called Virtual Philosopher developed by Dr. Wade Maki from the Philosophy department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Virtual Philosopher Link (must have updated FLASH to play correctly): http://web.uncg.edu/dcl/courses/vicecrime/vp/vp.html
2. Comment on your critical thinking reasoning that led to your decisions for all three scenarios: the friend's problem, the lifeboat problem, the liver problem.
3. Explain where your critical thinking gave way to your values, ethics, and beliefs. Comment on the differences you perceive between "ethical" and "critical" reasoning and what kinds of problems it caused in doing or reflecting on this exercise and even in your academic experiences.
4. Comment on how the Virtual Philosopher scored your response. From the comments you received about your responses, what insight have you gained about your own critical thinking and reasoning?
@ Veronica: look at the Adriana @ Nikim message, because I feel that you might not understand the assignment.
ReplyDelete@ Adriana: Thanks for clearing things up about Virtual philosopher, otherwise it was completely obscure assignment.
ReplyDelete1. Being Interdisciplinary requires a great understanding of what you are doing, your goals, aspirations, and more specifically you need a great understanding of yourself. Having the critical thinking skill will help me in that process of recognizing myself, my strenghts, weaknesses, and what I need to do to accomplish my objectives and become a successful individual.
ReplyDelete2. By analyzing the virtual philosopher I started to think about how consistent I am with my ethical boundaries and if there were any gray areas in which I thought the unethical could have a positive effect. I think it is important to analyze everything you do in life as well as keep present that every action has its consequences. A person that implements the critical thinking should be able to predict such outcomes.
3. Yes the outline of my critical thinking matched what I did with the virtual philosopher because I performed an autoevaluation of my ethical standards and I analyzed the issue and tried to approach it in order to come up with a valuable and honest answer about myself and my points of view.
Critical thinking is one of the most important qualities in interdisciplinary studies. When dealing with a problem, a person should study and examine all the possible ways to solve it. Choosing the material and information, which to use is one of the purposes of critical thinking, because most of the information available today is ether unreliable or out of date. Using critical thinking helps interdisciplinarians to look for, choose and apply right information to right problem.
ReplyDeleteI was consistent on all problems, thus my critical thinking and ethical choices worked out well. Although, I used more critical thinking, than ethical. Ethical side of all the problems are: who is to decide what is right or wrong, and what norms should one consider. Ethical thinking in my opinion is subjective, because everyone is equal in every situation by ethical norms. But sometimes one should think objectively, with regards to existing conditions. First problem is quite easy, because it is better to lie to a friend at such a moment, and talk to him/her later when the pain is gone. In addition, I think we are all odd in one way or another, and if a person loves us, he/she should accept us who we are. My answer on the second problem about the boat is throwing 400 pound man out of the boat. Ethically I am not right, but critically: I do not think that is right that 10 more people die because of that man. I could consider jumping myself out of the boat, but there was not such an option, and I think it would not help, because problem assumes that I am a normal size person.
Third problem is the most complex one. I chose to give the liver to the mother of six kids. The philosopher said that my choice might be wrong because I based it on the fact that Sarah has 6 kids, but not on her personal need on the transplant. So my logical-critical thinking chose her for several reasons. First, after she dies the future of six persons is at risk, and those kids might become rich, and would donate money to good cause, or Nobel Prize winners and find the cure to diseases. Second, all other candidates are less illegible to get it: one is an alcoholic, another is old, the child is too sick and the transplant could not save him.
In academic progress my critical thinking helps me to choose the course of my studies, what classes are more important, than others (although, it is not ethically, because all classes should be equal). Also to choose what assignment is more important at the right moment.
The outline of my critical thinking disposition does match with all the assignments and results of Virtual Philosopher. Those results only made my beliefs stronger and more justified.
1)Critical thinking is the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion. Critical thinking applies immensely to interdisciplinary studies because those who are involved in IDS have a consistent stream of issues to solve and without critical thinking the issue could be solved in the wrong manor.
ReplyDelete2)The Virtual Philosopher opened my eyes to how I think. I was consistent on the lying matter and the boat instance. It was the transplant that I was inconsistent about. I do not like playing god, when and at first my answer was consistent with this, but the philosopher made me second guess. I know I would have felt bad if the alcoholic lived rather than the woman with six children or the eight year old boy.
3)I believe the outline of my critical thinking disposition matches what I said about critical thinking. It is extremely hard to make the right decision for me without emotional involvement, but I seem to put my emotion behind me when it comes to the very tough decisions.
@UCFSENIORGIRL
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I chose to pick IDS for my degree! I didn't know exactly what I wanted to be "When I grew up", but wanted to be involved in multiple disciplines I found interesting. Through critical thinking, IDS was the perfect choice for my career/life goals.
@Veronica Alonso
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about never lying, it is a terrible trend that most people do on a daily basis without realizing it. But not answering a question instead of lying is not necessarily the best way to go about the situation. By not answering someone's question at all they may take it the wrong way and then make the wrong decision for themselves based on your lack of answer. Being honest, especially when it hurts is the best policy for a guilt-free conscious.
@ Ivonne: completely agree that critical thinking helps not only to solve problems but also helps to know who you are, yourself. It helps to discover and open your inner I. I think that without critical thinking life of a person is ehter imposiible or just dumb.
ReplyDelete@ Mercedes: Yes, the doubt between mother of six and 8-year old is really hard to figure out. What about alcoholic, you are absolutely right. It does not matter that ethical side says that everybody is equal and he is the first applicant. Tha transplant use would be i vain,because that person is nothing. Actually, sometimes ethics is wrong, big time wrong. People are not equal, they are all different, and who is better or not defined by our actions and behaviour, not our look, race, origins, sex, age, etc. Thus, I do not believe that all people have the same rights, but here comes another question: Who is to judge us? and What measures are we judged against?
ReplyDeleteHow does your critical thinking relate to being interdisciplinary?
ReplyDeleteMy critical thinking relates to being Interdisciplinary when I combine my ideas, thoughts, experiences and research and I have to make a decision. It also can relate when I work in a group in a project and we mix our different opinions to come up with a solution.
I end up deleting my post because I did the assignment wrong and I did not go to the link,
I went to the link an I was consistent with my ethics in the 3 examples.
I believe the way I think matches the way I decide how to take the decision in this 3 problems.
@ AGaas: Thank you for point that out, I was really lost in the assignment. I just read and answer my questions based on that paragraph, really confusing! there is no directions to go to link!
ReplyDelete@AGaas I agree that ethical people should see whats right and wrong. I've notice that most people so but their still some that don't.
ReplyDelete@veronica, I also thought the three problem were consistent to me as well, than i change my thought by saying its not, because i could have different view 10 years from now.
ReplyDeleteThe first exercise I picked to tell her straight forward the she was odd, I am sure that I will do that if I will be in a situation like this so I was consistent with my personal ethics.
ReplyDeleteIn the second exercise I picked to push the 400 lb guy to the ocean and save the other 11 people. I am not sure that I will be brave enough to push the guy but I also do not believe that a miracle could save the 12 of them if he will stay on the boat, I was consistent too!
In the third one I am sure in my ideas that everyone of them will deserve the liver so to be fair they can rely in their good luck and see who gets the transplant. I was consistent with my ideas too!
It was fun, when I figured it out!
I believe that critical thinking not only relates to IDS, but is also a critical part of it! Being able to think critically about things, and choices that we make are key to maximize the benefits of IDS. Critical thinking helps me to take what I need from the different areas that I am learning about, and use them together!
ReplyDeleteI was consistent with my reasoning and critical thinking, and yes, my the outline did match the virtual philosopher.
@Adriana,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it sometime it causes more harm than good when one tells the truth. For example, it is easier to tell a woman her hair looks great (or even OK) chopped off, instead of telling her that the short haircut the stylist gave her is not very attractive.
@Nikim,
ReplyDeleteYou have a very good point. I was thinking more about what we do with the information we learn from IDS, not about which paths to take.
Wow everyones responses were so great. You guys are very optimistic in concerns with life.
ReplyDeleteAnd its awesome that you guys take everything as a step to "growing up" since we are always changing! What you think today may not be the same as in a few months, let alone 10 years (@ Sammy.)
Critical thinking is necessary through out IDS. To start, you have to think critically to pick your areas of study (which are better for you, which will work best together, etc). Critical thinking sometimes causes you to think in different perspectives, which is the point of IDS.
ReplyDeleteTHE FRIEND: I believed a lie was justified in this situation, which was consistent with my response; "Lying is sometimes justifiable."
THE FAT MAN: I did not feel it was ethically right to throw this man over board essentially drowning him. He had just as much right to live as anyone else, despite his weight. This was consistent with my answer "Killing innocent people(murder) is always wrong."
THE LIVER: I chose Sarah, the 26 year old single mother of six. My choice was based on the fact the six kids were dependent upon her. If she were to die, they would most likely wind up in foster care and most likely be seperated causing them even more pain and suffering. My decision was consistent with my choice "Ethically, some human lives are more worth saving than others." I have to admit, I was torn between Sarah and the 8 yr old kid, but I felt that more children would be placed in harm's way had Sarah died.
@AGaas I'm glad I'm not the only one who chose the 26 year old mother. I, also, thought about jumping over board myself, but it wasn't an option. Not that it would've done any good, I'm no where near 400lbs.
ReplyDelete@ Mercedes I agree. I wouldn't be able to stand it if the alcoholic received the liver over everyone else. It would have been a waste of not only a healthy liver but of several productive lives as well.
ReplyDelete@nikim. I agree with you, critical thinking is necessary in order to pick the areas for the interdisciplinary degree. Once you decide to pursue this degree, you must maintain those critical thinking skills to succeed in life in general.
ReplyDeleteThinking alone can be not be applied to IDS. It must be followed up by being able to think with a critical thinking edge. I believe that being able and applying critical thinking to anything in life will gain more success. Its about problem solving and most problem solving becomes about because of someone being about to think critically. It will play a huge role in IDS. Whether your critical thinking applies to your job, your schooling, and everything in else that comes into to your life. Problem solving and critical thinking provide that stepping stone that will separate you from your peers and competition.
ReplyDeleteSpreading the truth/lying is something some people are able to use to their advantage. it is not always in the correct way or the right way, but some people use lying to further their success. Lying in my eyes doesn't always seem to be the best solution but I do believe it is beneficial in some cases. Being ethical, or lying, or sacrificing one for many is sometimes necessary. I believe that using them to your personal advantage is beneficial if you are trying to advance in life. In my area of work, its a dog eat dog world, and if you are the weaker link, goodbye.
@JFishpaugh. I was torn too between the 26 year old mother and the 8 year old kid. It is hard to form an unbiased opinion I am a mother and if I had to pick between my life over my son's life I would definitely pick for him to live; however, I wish I can always be part of his life and be there for him. I picked the eight year old to live.
ReplyDelete@ JFishPaugh. I completely agree with how you feel about the 3rd scenario. I would have chosen the mother too. More people would of had the chance to grow and learn while one may have perished, it would be better to have the others live. Those next kids could be doctors, scientists, presidents, etc. The list could go on and on.
ReplyDelete@ JFishpaugh: I agree with you in how we use critical thinking when we are planning which classes to pick that will work better together.
ReplyDeleteI think that critical thinking is imperative to IDS. For me, it's one of the reasons that I chose IDS. Becoming more well rounded by studying multiple disciplines requires you to be a critical thinker when making decisions and problem solving. You have to look at all angles and consider all perspectives while, at the same time, asking questions that will help you understand those different perspectives.
ReplyDeleteIn the virtual philosopher assignment, I was not consistent when it came to the lying scenario. I did not tell the lie to the person, but only because I didn’t feel as though the lie would have made the person feel any better. In reality, aren’t we all a little bit odd? Isn’t that what makes us all individuals? If someone left another person for being odd, then I think that the problem lies with the person that left, NOT the person that was left. In explaining this to a person, I think that you could accomplish even more good than telling a “little white lie”
In the 2nd scenario, I chose to take my chances. I was consistent in my choice. I honestly don’t know what I would actually do in that scenario if it actually happened. I don’t think I would be able to “sacrifice” someone, but being in the moment, could change my thought process. I just think that if I was to push the man out, and then the rest of us were saved, I wouldn’t be able to live with my decision. Really interesting to think about though.
In the 3rd scenario, I gave the liver to the young mother. Here was my thought process. The homeless guy had already destroyed his liver through drinking. Couldn’t go there and run the risk of him destroying another. His criminal record didn’t help him either. To me, he wasn’t deserving. I skipped the business man because I have an ethical issue with someone, in essence, buying a liver. I also skipped the older researcher. I looked at it as though she had already had the longest life and accomplished a lot. I feel like her research could have been continued by others. Lastly, I eliminated the young boy. Although he was the youngest, he was the sickest and had the lowest chance of recovering fully. My reasons for choosing the young mother may come from the fact that I am a parent myself. I felt like she directly influenced her children and their upbringing, so hers was the only one that had any “guarantees” that others would benefit from her transplant. Again, a very interesting thing toi think about.
I was consistent in my choices for the 2nd and 3rd scenarios.
thank you to the people that posted the link. I was unable to find it on my own, hence the reason that my post was late. Where did everyone find the link for the virtual philosopher?
ReplyDelete1. I think that critical thinking is extremely important to IDS. The reason i believe this is because IDS is a major where if you do not involve critical thinking, you will not succeed. The reason i say this is because when so many different ideas are mixed together, critical thinking is a huge aspect of being successful with it. Not focusing on one topic means you need to be able to think critically.
ReplyDelete2. The virtual philosopher was a great little way of learning about yourself. When in the situation of tough questions, your true self comes out. I was inconstant on the friend and boat topics but consistent on the liver one. Maybe if i was really put in the situation by decisions would be different. Its easy to make a decision when your it doesnt effect anything real.
3. The outline of my critical thinking matches what i said about critial thinking. During tough decisions, like i said before, it is easier to make when your decision does not matter. When i am really in a tough situation though, my thoughts may vary.
@MercedesBeaudoin.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like your ideas vary based on the situation just like me. That is why we were both sometimes inconsistent.
@mrands
ReplyDeleteI love what you say about a dog eat dog world. Sometimes you need to be like that to get ahead. Its sad but true.
Wayne, that is so touching that you can relate your own life to the senerios in the virtual philosopher. Those situations really make us think about our own lives. Thanks for sharing that :)
ReplyDelete-Cydney
I agree that critical thinking is a vital piece to achive in life. As we grow in our lives and education we will not only practice it, but learn to shape it in the paths that we want to go.
ReplyDeleteSo as a final recap. critical thinking is taking all possible scenarios into consideration before you make a final decision. When you can do that without putting in your own personal preference, and being able to step aside to view the issue as an outsider, you are a step closer to mastering the art of critical thinking.
ReplyDelete...But I admit sometimes our emotions get the better of us, especially the fear of how other will judge us.
First sorry I am sooooo late finishing this assignment.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Virtual Philosopher assignment was interesting. I think that regardless of how I answered the questions the site would have questioned my responses. The site stated that I was not consistent with my answers however I don’t think you can ever be 100% consistent, every situation is different so you may react differently depending on the situation. Under certain circumstances you may be capable of things you could never imagine.
I think that my disposition matched what I did through Virtual Philosopher because instead of sticking going in one direction I took time to analyze each situation and look at it from various perspectives before making a decision.
@Sammy, I think the virtual philosopher would have you questioning any decision that what made. I said that I am ok with lying at times but then because I would have been honest with my friend. So he basically accused me of being a bad friend or at least that is what I got from his response. I didn’t take the test too seriously but those who do may get confused.
ReplyDelete@Ivonne, I agree with you that you need to yourself and what you want to accomplish before you can become successful. However, I never thought about that fact that critical thinking plays a role in that.
# Reflect on the Virtual Philosopher assignment. What insight have you gained about your own critical thinking and reasoning? Were you consistent?
ReplyDeleteI was actually not consistent with the lifeboat. I think when it comes down to life or death decisions I guess murdering someone might be necessary. I was also inconsistent about the liver transplant. But I still stick to the little boy. They don't say weather or not the mom had a husband that could take car of the kids and if she knew of the little boy she would probably say to give it to him. And doesn't the transplant people actually make decisions on severity and the little boys was the only one that said he would die without it.
# Does the outline of your critical thinking disposition match what you did through the Virtual Philosopher? How?
And yes if does match because I thought critically about the situations and came to my conclusions.
Samantha Dullard
@ Wayne - Definitely agree with you about having to really be in the situation to know what you'd really decide on in the lifeboat situation.
ReplyDelete@nikim - I like how you explained that you can never be consistent 100% of the time.
- Samantha Dullard