PHIL 347 Week 1 Assignment: Journal

PHIL 347 Week 1 Assignment: Journal

Name

Chamberlain University

PHIL-347: Critical Reasoning

Prof. Name

Date

Week 1 Assignment: Journal Critical Thinking

Definition of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking can be understood as the process of thoughtful consideration before providing a response or taking action. Although it is commonly exercised in daily life, individuals may not always recognize when they are engaging in critical thinking due to the habitual nature of certain decisions. Sometimes, muscle memory takes over, allowing for automatic responses without conscious thought. However, in situations requiring careful consideration, it is necessary to pause and reflect before reaching a decision. In the nursing profession, critical thinking is essential. For instance, when caring for patients, I use critical thinking by integrating my knowledge, evidence-based research, and physician orders to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

Heart of the Matter

The authors of Think Critically (Facione & Gittens, 2016) identify chapters 12, 13, and 14 as the “heart of the matter” because these chapters bridge together earlier content, creating a cohesive understanding of critical thinking. By describing these chapters as the core, the authors suggest that they provide key contrasts between different thought processes. They emphasize that even when individuals strive to be objective, underlying uncertainties may influence their thought processes. This reflects that our thinking is often shaped more by belief systems than by empirical evidence alone. The three chapters focus on inference and explanation. Inference refers to drawing conclusions based on evidence, while explanation involves understanding the rationale behind these conclusions. Although I may not fully grasp the significance of these concepts, I recognize that drawing a valid inference requires a logical explanation. For instance, if a favorite television show is abruptly canceled, I might feel disappointed. However, knowing the reason behind the cancellation would allow me to understand and accept the decision more readily.

Challenges and Insights

One of my main challenges this semester will be keeping up with the weekly reading assignments. I do not particularly enjoy reading books and often prefer learning through PowerPoint slides. Additionally, being enrolled in an online course means I must adapt to learning without in-person lectures. Nevertheless, the concepts I encountered in the first three chapters have taught me the importance of not rushing to conclusions. By examining situations thoroughly, I can gain a deeper understanding of what went wrong and why, enabling me to identify logical explanations. I also tend to be quick-tempered, though this trait mainly surfaces with family members. I suspect this is because I let my guard down with them, whereas I am more restrained with others. Ultimately, the lessons learned from this course will benefit me personally and professionally, as they encourage greater patience and understanding.

References

Facione, P. A., & Gittens, C. A. (2016). Think critically (3rd ed.). Pearson.

PHIL 347 Week 1 Assignment: Journal

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