Logic and Perception

Paper Summary:

This paper examines critical thinking and the impact that it can have on logic and perception. It specifically discusses the importance of the ability to discern the reliability of sources of information. The paper presents a case study during which the writer personally experienced this type of error, where his preconceived notions about a scenario led him to a conclusion that differed from reality.

From the Paper:

"I learned an important lesson from the story with my cousin. The first thing I learned is that it is not physical size or sex that determines whether someone is a domestic violence offender; it is a person's nature. More importantly, I learned that one needs to pay attention to details, gather all of the facts, and then make judgments. I made my judgment about my cousin before gathering the facts, which made me selectively pick facts to fit my hypothesis. I rejected those facts, like the fact that my cousin frequently appeared with bruises, because they did not fit with my theory. I only picked facts that supported my conclusion, and, more importantly, I was not aware of what I was doing; the process was subconscious."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Critical Thinking Community. (2007). Strategy list: 35 dimensions of critical thought. Retrieved March 2, 2008, from Criticalthinking.org Web site: http://www.criticalthinking.org/resources/TRK12-strategy-list.cfm
• Haskins, G. (2006). A practical guide to critical thinking. Retrieved March 2, 2008, from Skepdic.com Web site: http://www.skepdic.com/essays/haskins.pdf
• Messina, J. & C. Messina. (2007). Can you trust your visual perceptions? Retrieved March 2, 2008 from Coping.org Web site: http://www.coping.org/write/percept/content.htm

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