Friday, August 1, 2008

Critical Thinking

I am taking an organizational behavior class right now from a professor who has a PhD in the subject and I really am enjoying the class and her perspectives. In class yesterday she said something I think we could all apply. She said "Critical thinking is key to all learning," and went on to define Critical thinking as "the questioning of everything." This was something that I thought was neat and wanted to remember it and share it with you all. How many of us apply this in our learning/educations? How many times do Church members question that which is presented to them as "fact" from less than reliable sources? Now obviously, you have to have some foundation, hence the scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:11 "for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," or Ephesians 2:20 "and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." Or the Book of Mormon being the keystone of our religion, et al. One things I have learned from brothers-in-law TJ and Chris is this "question everything" attitude, while I don't do it as often as they do I'm trying to open my mind more and more. And you know what? as I do so, my testimony grows stronger! Imagine that! "You mean to say that flexing your brain will help you learn and grow?" Yes! In a Church where "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth" (D&C 93:36) and where agency is one of the principles upon which is built the entire cosmic multi-verse (see D&C 93:30-31) you would think the ability to practice critical thinking would be commonplace. Anyways, i just read TJ's post on his Mormon culture sins and was a little fired up.
How good are you at questioning new things presented to you? or, how good are you at critical thinking?
How do you react to cognitive dissonance? (where cognitive dissonance = the disparities between what you thought you knew as fact, and what the truth really is when presented to you).

3 comments:

Jodi Jean said...

i don't think i questions things enough ... but i know when i do i ALWAYS learn something.

i never take what i learn in church as *fact* tho ... too many people like to add their own spin on things.

T.J. Shelby said...

"Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Luke... Luke... do not... do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor or suffer your father's fate you will..."

"You underestimate the power of the Dark Side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny."

Christopher Maloy said...

Thanks for the props Scott! Don't cut yourself down, you do have a keen an open mind. I can honestly tell you that you are leaps and bounds ahead of where I was at when I was your age (hell you are probably leaps and bounds ahead of me now **shakes magic 8 ball and ask "am I leaps and bounds ahead of Scott?" response "don't count on it" **

- Your brother