Matt - Critical Thinking: Part 2

It seems that the class has accurately identified the significance and value of critical thinking skills in the daily setting. As I indicated in my previous blog entry, I believe that critical thinking is one of the most valuable skills one can refine for their professional career. Moreover, it seems that this method of reasoning is the bridge between academic and “street smarts” as it equally employs commonsense and deductive reasoning. Among the many excellent blog entries, the following submissions I found to better illuminate the “every day applications” of critical thinking:

• Never Discount an Idea: Critical thinking necessitates that one objectively review a subject before issuing a judgment. Brandi provided an excellent example of how it is easy to discount an idea without full evaluation. Like Brandi, I have prematurely rejected some ideas/matters/concepts and then retrospectively acknowledged mistaken prejudices.
• Subjectivity/Relativism: Although some may contend that there are absolute Truths, much of life is relative to one’s perception. As TeeVee noted, art is a brilliant instance where the work is entirely subject to the viewer. There may be common interpretations of the intent of the artist or history may contextualize the piece, but the significance is determined by the spectators. Critical thinking is intellectual catalyst for one to realize the value of art work. What do you think of this?
• Deciphering Rhetoric: Westerners are inundated with slogans that we decipher and subsequently render decisions. In an era of mass-communication, where advertisements grace public bathrooms and school houses, it is increasingly important to fully utilize critical thinking skills. Million provided an excellent example of the ambiguity often present in political rhetoric and its influence on public policy. Due to the importance of voting, it is essential that we fully deduce political rhetoric and properly identify its meaning.