Week's discussion
I'd like you to comment on the following:
How can critical thinking help us understand opposing points of view? How is this important or useful to us? Think about issues about which you have strong opinions. Do you have difficulty considering or understand opposing viewpoints? Why? What are the ways in which critical thinking can help us in such situations?
4 Comments:
Critical thinking helps us in understanding and making stronger arguments. If you think about where the opposition is coming from, and what they are probably going to counter you with helps you build a stronger case. This is important because just arguing for the sake of doing so will not make you sound very intelligent. This also makes your argument come across as weak. To have a strong opinion about something doesn't mean that your opinion is the correct one for everyone. Critical thinking also aids in helping you keep an open mind. If you can honestly listen to someone who doesn't feel the same as you do about a particular issue, they may help you see a side you have never seen to that issue before. All in all critical thinking keeps us all on our toes.
The act of critical thinking allows one to assess an argument being made. By understanding and viewing both sides, you will prepare yourself to defend your position on that issue. Critical thinking will help prepare you to produce counter-arguments and strengthen the overall stance you have on a particular issue.
I, for instance, believe many things with great passion- pro-life, equal opportunity employment (not affirmative action), but closer to home, I believe that this university is making poor decisions without consideration for the well being and good of the student.
Years ago, WMU should have built more modern on-campus apartments that are more suitable for today's student. Quite some time ago, along with new builds they should have completely redone most of the residence halls. I understand the cost of doing such a project, but I also understand the benefits. Due to critical thinking and a little education in economics, I understand that in order for the University, the Office of Residence Life in particular, to make any money- they need to first take a chance and re-invest and fix the problems they have rather than put a band-aid on some ugly bruises.
Critical thinking allows us to look more analytically at what another persons arguments are, and allows us to think about there statements rather then just blurt out an automatic sometimes emotional response, that puts your own argument in jeporady. When it comes to not thinking critically about another persons comments, it appears to me that the more familiar I am with a person the less I tend to think critically about what they are saying, and just blurt out the automatic responses.
I think one of the things that I've already realized through this class, is that it is important to effectively communicate with somebody you disagree with! I don't think emotional arguments are always bad, but it is always important to place value on an individual who is delivering a message you disagree with! I know this is something I certainly struggle with! I have a hard time engaging in a productive conversation with a BUSH lover or someone who is a right wing conservative... sometimes those people are one in the same.. which makes it really messy! I don't know! It's important to evaluate the argument, not evaluate the person! Sometimes, I wonder WHAT IS THE POINT?
Wouldn't it be healthier to Agree to Disagree! I know my father and I have gone rounds on Bush! I will never convince him, and he will never convince me! So, what is the point?
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