Critical Thinking Assignment
Assignment:
Critical thinking is built on four basic principles (Gill, 1991; Shore, 1990):
1. Few “truths” transcend the need for empirical testing. It is true that religious beliefs and personal values may be held without supporting evidence. But most other ideas can be evaluated by applying the rules of logic and evidence.
2. Evidence varies in quality. Judging the quality of evidence is crucial. Imagine that you are a juror in a courtroom, judging claims made by two battling lawyers. To decide correctly, you can’t just weigh the amount of evidence. You must also critically evaluate the quality of the evidence. Then you can give greater weight to the most credible facts.
3. Authority or claimed expertise does not automatically make an idea true. Just because a teacher, guru, celebrity, or authority is convinced or sincere doesn’t mean you should automatically believe them. It is unscientific and self-demeaning to just take the word of an “expert” without asking, “What evidence convinced her or him? How good is it? Is there a better explanation?”
4. Critical thinking requires an open mind. Be prepared to consider daring departures and go wherever the evidence leads. However, don’t become so “open-minded” that you are simply gullible. Critical thinkers strike a balance between open-mindedness and healthy skepticism. They are ready to change their views when new evidence arises (Bartz, 2002).
Using the above four principles, choose (ONE) a (a) recent court decision, (b) current event, (c) or national issue (see examples below) and analyze the issue to come to an objective conclusion.
Charlottesville
Plan Parenthood
Hurricane Harvey
DACA “Dream Act”
Free Higher Education for all
U.S. Immigration Laws & Practices
Martin and Zimmerman Case
LGBTQ Community and Laws
Affordable Health Care Act
etc… or (something not mentions above.)
Opinions alone are not sufficient; your decision must be supported with data and/or rationale. Please cite all references. Write at least two (2) paragraphs to support your response.
Submit this assignment (add attachment) in (rtf) or Microsoft word before or cut & paste your answer in the submission window.
