Unit V PP Create

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Course Learning Outcomes for Unit V

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

2. Apply critical thinking processes to complex issues. 2.1 Identify the role of emotion on critical thinking. 2.2 Explain the interaction of emotion and reason when employing critical thinking.

Course/Unit Learning Outcomes

Learning Activity

2.1 Unit V Lesson Chapter 2 Unit V PowerPoint Presentation

2.2 Unit V Lesson Chapter 2 Unit V PowerPoint Presentation

Reading Assignment

Chapter 2: Reason and Emotion

Unit Lesson

Continuing the theme of connecting creative thinking with critical thinking, this unit focuses primarily on developing the ability to use reason to approach complex or controversial issues, which may or may not have readily available solutions. The focus of this unit is on critical thinking. Specifically, we discuss how emotion and reason interact during the critical thinking process. Often, these difficult situations evoke strong emotions, which can make critical thinking even more difficult, particularly when discussing issues of faith and reason. Some point to artificial intelligence as a way to remove emotion from the decision-making process. We discuss these topics in more detail in this unit.

The field of ethics provides a nice illustration of a complex topic that can evoke strong emotions on both sides. There is an approach in ethics known as utilitarianism, which proposes that the proper ethical decision is the one that creates the most good for the most people. This approach sounds great until one examines potential negative implications for the few who will not enjoy the positive results. For example, think about child labor in under-developed countries producing goods for hundredths of what it would cost companies to produce in industrialized nations. Therefore, because of child labor, millions of consumers can get the products for less money; the local, under-developed economy gets some inflow of revenue; and the company typically enjoys larger profits. These profits benefit the owners/stockholders, who then have more money to spend on other goods and services, thereby producing an economic gain for a great many people. Is it ethical to employ children in this case? Before answering, consider the added complication that often the children are the only ones in their families capable of working, so not employing them

Critical Thinking for Complex Issues

Child labor in brick kilns of Nepal (Shresthakedar, 2014)

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Title might create unintended consequences. Does that change things? It is not difficult to see how quickly emotion can enter conversations, such as these.

Reason

Borrowing from another unit that discussed formulation and articulation of specific types of arguments, an effective way to solve difficult problems or approach complex issues is through the employment of reason. Boss (2017) defines reason as “the process of supporting a claim or conclusion on the basis of evidence” (p. 39). This means that opinions, speculation, emotion, and personal preferences are removed from the analysis process, and only the facts are considered. An example might be in a manufacturing facility that is failing to achieve production goals. One leader might propose a solution to insert a break in the flow of production where a small inventory of partially completed goods can be stored in case an upstream function fails temporarily. Another leader resists, citing the increased inventory carrying cost associated with the proposed pool of inventory. A reasoned solution might be to examine the costs associated with missing the production targets, as compared to the increased inventory costs of the proposed pool.

Literature indicates that there might be personal, demographic factors that impact reason or at least some might feel that way. Aristotle (as cited in Boss, 2017) proposed that men and women are fundamentally different in the way that they approach problems and in their ability to use reason. Women were said to be more guided by emotion, while men follow logic and reason. Some early religious leaders adopted this view and established that men were better suited to be in the workplace and politics, while women were better suited for nurturing and domestic duties. It seems that reason is winning out, slowly but surely, and the effectiveness and talent of individuals, regardless of gender, determines how far he or she can go. There is still some road to travel on this particular journey, but at least the journey has begun.

Emotion in Critical Thinking

Much has been discussed with regard to emotion and the role it might play when approaching complex issues and difficult problems. Boss (2017) defines emotion as “a state of consciousness in which feelings, such as joy, anger, love, hate, and fear are experienced” (p. 45). The natural question is whether emotion can co-exist with reason, or whether the two are diametrically opposed to each other, doomed never to cross paths. The answer might depend upon the culture in which the question is asked and answered.

Western cultures tend to focus on separating emotion and critical thinking while Chinese Confucianism, Buddhism, and many African philosophies think of the “whole” person and embrace an individual’s emotional side and even emphasize the emotional domain of critical thinking (Boss, 2017). Which approach is the most appropriate may depend upon how the emotions are used. Boss continues the conversation, stating that being in touch with one’s emotions might predispose that individual to an appropriate reaction, citing revulsion and anger over the atrocities perpetrated by Nazi Germany. These emotions might better inform an action to be taken in response than simply reacting in a cold and calculated manner.

The next logical question surrounds how one is to know whether emotions are appropriate when attempting to use reason in a particular response or whether they should be avoided. The answer might be found in a relatively new concept to the study of psychological norms known as emotional intelligence. Most have heard of the intelligence quotient (IQ), but there is also a measure of emotional intelligence known as the EQ. Boss (2017) describes emotional intelligence as “the ability to perceive accurately, appraise and express emotion” (p. 45). What this means is that individuals, who are able effectively to identify their emotions and the potential behavioral implications of feeling these emotions, will exhibit higher levels of emotional intelligence.

A central construct of emotional intelligence is empathy, or the ability to feel for others. One who is high on the emotional intelligence scale is likely to have higher levels of empathy, which could lead to a “righteous indignation” when a wrong is observed, which could, in turn, lead to an appropriate response. Keep in mind, however, that appropriate behaviors will still need to be well reasoned. For example, if one witnessed a man abusing a woman, his or her empathetic instincts might engage and prompt action to be taken. If this action results in the ending of the abuse, then the response is reasonable. If the “good Samaritan” takes the response to the point of abusing the abuser, then it could be argued that emotion clouded the reason, and the response could be considered inappropriate.

To summarize the potential positive impact of emotions on reason, Boss (2017) explains that logic and reason without emotion tends to lack imagination and creativity. Therefore, a healthy level of emotion, particularly

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Title empathy, to help motivate action and spark creativity can be combined with rational thinking and reason for notably positive results.

Artificial Intelligence

The next question to be analyzed revolves around artificial intelligence. Boss (2017) defines artificial intelligence as “the study of the computations that make it possible for machines to perceive, reason, and act” (p. 50). There is disagreement as to whether a computer or machine is capable of conscious, rational thought and perhaps even more disagreement as to whether they are capable of emotions. Regardless of one’s perspective on these specific issues, it is clear that computer capabilities are ever-increasing and can be used effectively to provide impartial data for rational decision-making when approaching complex issues and solving difficult problems.

Faith and Reason

Perhaps one of the most emotional and controversial of debated topics could be the comparison of faith and reason and the question of whether the two are incompatible with each other. Boss (2017) offers three approaches to faith that can help inform (although not decide definitively) the conversation: fideism, rationalism, and critical rationalism.

Fideism is defined as “the belief that the divine is revealed through faith and does not require reason” (Boss, 2017, p. 53). Through this belief, there is no need to attempt rationally to explain the existence of God because to do so would eliminate the need for faith. Instead, it would simply be proof.

Rationalism has a different view of faith in God. Rationalism is defined as “the belief that religion should be consistent with reason and evidence” (Boss, 2017, p. 54). The underlying foundation to this approach is that a close examination of the physical world should not reveal any contradictions between the information in the scriptures/religious teachings and scientific observations. However, if a discrepancy is found, faith in God trumps scientific observation, and the fault for the discrepancy lies with a failing of science, not God (Boss, 2017). Again, despite the acknowledgement of the importance of corroborating evidence, faith is still critical for belief in God, regardless of the specific religion being discussed. An example of this is the use of carbon dating, which has indicated that the Earth is billions of years old, while the Bible indicates that it is actually thousands of years old. Scientists will say that the tests are conclusive, while opponents will point out many assumptions used by the scientific community that, if violated, might create doubt in the findings. Rationalism requires that, despite the apparent discrepancy, the answer can be found in faith.

A third concept that examines the relationship between faith and reason is a combination of the previous two. Critical rationalism holds to the claim that God’s existence is proven through personal revelation or relationship but incorporates an aspect of rationalism in that critical rationalism believes that there should be no contradictions between one’s belief and rational or physical evidence (Boss, 2017). Those who subscribe to this approach often use inductive arguments to “prove” or convince others of the veracity of their beliefs.

Conclusion

Utilizing reason to approach complex issues and solve difficult problems seems to produce the most effective results. While some might argue that reason and emotion cannot co-exist, evidence exists that feelings, such as empathy can help motivate toward appropriate behavior. However, emotion needs to combine with reason to guard against inappropriate responses. The debate over whether faith and reason can exist together continues, but there appears to be a possibility that one can provide some evidence of the existence of God, even if that evidence is circumstantial.

References

Boss, J. A. (2017). THiNK: Critical thinking and logic skills for everyday life (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw- Hill Education.

Shresthakedar. (2014). Child labour in brick kilns of Nepal [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Child_Labour_in_Brick_Kilns_of_Nepal.jpg