Critical Thinking and Decision Making Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Introduction

In my first journal entry, I defined critical thinking as the art of reasoning, where solving an issue or getting to the bottom of an issue involves the taking of account of all sides in question. After learning more about critical thinking, my definition might not change as much, i. Instead, I can only add onto it. Therefore, critical thinking is the art of reasoning where perceived wisdom and knowledge is carefully challenged and questioned, and data of all sides considered and analyzed factually. In the initial definition, the best part of the text that were reflected is that deep reflection of thoughts is considered while taking into account information from all sides of a situation while trying to get to the root cause or solving it.

Heart of the Matter

When an issue arises, there is the core of the problem and associated symptoms or causes. In the first journal entry, the heart of the matter or the core issue in a situation was noted to be the most essential in ensuring that it is solved properly. Solving the core will do away with associated causes or symptoms. The main concepts important to critical thinking discussed in Chapters 12, 13, and 14 were comparative reasoning, empirical reasoning and ideological reasoning. Comparative reasoning involves using knowledge or data of the past to compare against the current situation in order to understand it well. Ideological reasoning will use individual concepts and values to understand the issue at hand. Lastly, empirical reasoning incorporates the use of previous evidence and research that has similar interests like the current situation.

The authors in these chapters find these three concepts important to critical thinking in a number of ways. OneFirst, if prior knowledge is available, understanding a situation will be easier. If properly understood, finding the root cause or solving a situation is enhanced based on the acquired experience. Secondly, the acquired experience is measured against the environment, and surrounding circumstances (ideological reasoning) on individual beliefs, enhancing quicker and well thought out decision making. Lastly, actual research evidence ensures that decisions made when understanding and solving an issue is not based on falsehood. Schmaltz et al. (2017) describe that important concepts in critical thinking will ensure that the skills and dispositions of interpretation, inference, analysis, and inquisitiveness are incorporated before a decision is made.

Ethical Decision Making

In Chapter 16, the lecture elaborates that good ethical values in decision making will require that consequences of the decision made, both beneficial and harmful, are weighed. According to Terziev et al. (2020), decision making based on ethics ensures that positive results are achieved out of a situation. If ethics is used while solving an issue or getting to the bottom of an argument, then the final decision made will put in consideration both the harmful and positive sides. Strong and reasonable argument based on ethics often yield positivity, hence I agree with Chapter 16 lecture that ethics is an essential element of a good argument.

Looking forwardForward

Critical thinking is a wide concept. It can never be based on one platform. Schmaltz et al. (2017) also confirms that critical thinking itself is wide and has numerous definitions from various scholars. I therefore cannot say, I now know everything about critical thinking. It i’s a lifelong process since experiences change with time, the environment and empirical research also changes with time. So, critical thinking will be based on data available, relevant research and individual experiences based on time.

References

Schmaltz, R. M., Jansen, E. & Wenckowski, N. (2017). Redefining critical thinking: teaching students to think like scientists. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(:, 459): 1-4. Web.

Terziev, V., Koleci, R. & Solovev, D. (2020). Role of ethics in decision making in public and private organizations. International E-Journal of Advances in Social Sciences, 6(16): ), 106-110. Web.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2022, December 17). Critical Thinking and Decision Making. https://ivypanda.com/essays/critical-thinking-and-decision-making/

Work Cited

"Critical Thinking and Decision Making." IvyPanda, 17 Dec. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/critical-thinking-and-decision-making/.

References

IvyPanda. (2022) 'Critical Thinking and Decision Making'. 17 December.

References

IvyPanda. 2022. "Critical Thinking and Decision Making." December 17, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/critical-thinking-and-decision-making/.

1. IvyPanda. "Critical Thinking and Decision Making." December 17, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/critical-thinking-and-decision-making/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Critical Thinking and Decision Making." December 17, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/critical-thinking-and-decision-making/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1