Understanding Of Other's Points Of Views example essay topic

Logic and Perception The online website, dictionary. com, defines logic as the study of the principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as distinguished from their content and of method and validity in deductive reasoning. (web) This same website defines critical thinking as the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion. (web) I think in simpler terms critical thinking is thinking smart as opposed to using unreasonable and illogical thinking. Critical thinking is not necessarily looking at things negatively. Logic relates to critical thinking because you need to use reasoning in order to look at something critically and see both sides. I think my perceptual process is based mainly on my morals that I have formed throughout my life. I also think that the influences of significant individuals, mother, father, and teachers, in my life have been major influences in my perceptual process. During many individual's lives, they are taught from an early age to believe in God.

Does that mean that there is a God? Not necessarily, however, this proves that important people in someone's life have a major influence on their ideas and beliefs that they hold true. There are obvious good perceptual values that I was taught, including the idea of do not steal. These basic ideas form a sound basis for my own ideas.

There are other ideas though where I may need to seek the advice of others. When buying a car, I will seek the advice of respected friends who have a lot of knowledge on this subject. I highly respect their opinions, and will use their ideas to make my final decision. I think the influences in my life that have helped to form perceptual process at times also may have hindered me. These influences in my life have trained my thoughts and ideas to such a degree that at times I have not thought for myself. I have taken these ideas as fact without looking at them from my own perspective.

I think the situation where I have seen this the most is not respecting another individual's point of view. When I have been taught something was right for so long, it is difficult to listen and look at another side of a story openly. I think the problem is these ideas have been around me for so long, that I have taken them as fact. The one important thing is I am very informed on the opinions I feel strongly about.

I will not argue something unless I feel I have strong facts to support my argument. I can think of one instance where my perception of reality was far from the actual reality. There was an instance at work where I thought there was a promotion coming my way. The rumor had been started by a coworker who told me that she overheard this was coming. What really happened is there was another person with the same first name who they were promoting in another department. There was an obvious error in judgment on my part trusting this individual.

I do not think my critical thinking changed much from this incident. The only thing I have done is watch who I trust, and make sure I understand the original source of the information. There are a number of things I have learned, that may lead to poor decisions and judgment. I have learned the most from the following errors and bad habits: stereotyping, resistance to change, lack of common sense, and at times a lack of respect of other individuals.

It is important for me to recognize these problem areas, and make a conscious effort to change my ways. I will need to make sure I look at things critically and not make quick judgments. This will be both difficult and a continuing process that I will need to institute if I am going to have an understanding of other's points of views and learn what is the truth and what is not. I will need to make sure I understand where my ideas of reasoning can go off track..