PHL 458 Week 1
Week 1 Assignment
1. Describe a situation in which critical and creative thought could have been used for a better outcome. Describe why it is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations. A situation that comes to mind in which critical thinking and creative thought could have been used for a better outcome in the President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky affair. Indecent affairs, such as what President Clinton participated on, are highly frowned upon especially in a man of his stature. He was the leader of the Free World. If President Clinton had used critical thinking, his presidency would not have been put to shame. Although his actions did not end his presidency, he placed a great deal of embarrassment to his family and his office. If he even took a second to weigh the outcome of his actions, he would have realized the discredit he placed on himself, his family, and his country. This would be the same for all the elected officials or anyone holding a high position. As leaders, people look up to them as someone with high moral values. Critical and creative thinking is necessary to evaluate results of actions before it is done.
2. Define free will, truth, knowledge, and opinion. Explain how we use them to form thoughts. Free will is the power to make choices freely without any constraints or compulsions. Free will is a voluntary decision and an independent choice. It is the “capacity to respond in ways that oppose even the strongest influences” (Ruggiero, 2009). People possess free will. This is the reason why people’s decisions are unpredictable. Free will helps a person form thoughts. No matter the pressure or force placed on a person, the person will act on his or her own free will when making decisions. Truth is “the reality of the matter, as distinguished from what people wish so, believe to be son, or assert to be so” (Ruggiero, 2009). Truth is a fact. It does not change, only our knowledge change. Forming thoughts based on
1. Describe a situation in which critical and creative thought could have been used for a better outcome. Describe why it is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations. A situation that comes to mind in which critical thinking and creative thought could have been used for a better outcome in the President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky affair. Indecent affairs, such as what President Clinton participated on, are highly frowned upon especially in a man of his stature. He was the leader of the Free World. If President Clinton had used critical thinking, his presidency would not have been put to shame. Although his actions did not end his presidency, he placed a great deal of embarrassment to his family and his office. If he even took a second to weigh the outcome of his actions, he would have realized the discredit he placed on himself, his family, and his country. This would be the same for all the elected officials or anyone holding a high position. As leaders, people look up to them as someone with high moral values. Critical and creative thinking is necessary to evaluate results of actions before it is done.
2. Define free will, truth, knowledge, and opinion. Explain how we use them to form thoughts. Free will is the power to make choices freely without any constraints or compulsions. Free will is a voluntary decision and an independent choice. It is the “capacity to respond in ways that oppose even the strongest influences” (Ruggiero, 2009). People possess free will. This is the reason why people’s decisions are unpredictable. Free will helps a person form thoughts. No matter the pressure or force placed on a person, the person will act on his or her own free will when making decisions. Truth is “the reality of the matter, as distinguished from what people wish so, believe to be son, or assert to be so” (Ruggiero, 2009). Truth is a fact. It does not change, only our knowledge change. Forming thoughts based on
References: Ruggiero, V. R. (2009). The art of thinking: A guide to critical and creative thought (9th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Longman.