Direct Experience and False Memories

Going on our normal routines, we as humans come across and witness many situations in our everyday lives. In our text, a portion explains the differences between experiences that we go through and our memories. As critical thinkers, it is important to as much as possible accurately differentiate between the two. Some of the factors that affect clearly explaining what had really happened are trauma and language. When a traumatic event occurs, it starts to become difficult to clearly explain what was going on since there are many things going on in one's head. Words also have an effect on this. The choice of words and the order they are in can give a variety of responses. This is when it becomes difficult to connect between what has really happened and ones's memory. Moreover, one of the biggest issues is that when the most consistent information is needed, it is hard to tell if a memory is true or not since false memories are just as easy to believe as the accurate ones. At times, we even fall into false memory syndrome, which is when we alter our memories when we recall events, sometimes even memories that never even occurred. Being the critical thinkers that we are, we should practice and enhance our memorization skills through being more attentive and analyzing events so that we can accurately remember any new information.

The Various Opinions about Unidentified Flying Objects

In the readings regarding the varying opinions and evidence regarding the existence of unidentified flying objects, it was easy to form or strengthen our personal belief and stance regarding this topic. In the first article “Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects” by Condon, the author argues that technology still needs improvement so that we can fully explain and stand behind the belief about these UFOs. If there is a good idea about their existence, there should be credible information to support whatever stance one takes. He also adds that since this is the case, UFO reports should not be publicized. Moreover, Hynek, the author of “The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry,” talks about this experience is not given much attention by the authorities, and because of this neglect, it is not looked at closely or systematically. Since it has never been fully clarified by the scientists, they can never fully execute proper data collection. Hynek suggests that a good way to approach this is to start from scratch and start gathering and processing data. Open communication should also be kept among the countries since this phenomenon is familiar worldwide. Lastly, in the article “Physical Evidence and Unidentified Flying Objects” by Paynter, the writer believes that unless there is physical evidence about the existence of UFOs. I personally stand behind Paynter’s argument. The human mind is full of imaginations and it is not difficult to make a story more interesting or make assumptions about certain issues. Unless an argument is a hundred percent supported, it is going to be difficult for me to believe this or any argument for this matter. Nothing is going to make this topic more credible but the presence of physical evidence.

Knowledge vs. Wisdom

To some knowledge and wisdom may be synonymous to each other, and to the rest they may have completely different meanings. According to our text, knowledge is defined as information that we hold to be true because it is backed up by evidence. I agree with this definition in the sense that I think that knowledge is simply information and facts that have been proven to be accurate over time. Wisdom, on the other hand, is applying one's knowledge to real life situations and exercising the best judgment that one can possibly use. Another difference between the two is that for wisdom to be more credible, one has to have had experienced various life happenings that will result in learning. For example between a young teenager and someone older, the older man who has gone through the different stages in life will know how to better approach the good and bad situations that they will come across because it is more likely that they have already been through a similar experience. Also, knowledge is more of a uniform information while wisdom varies among everyone. They are very much alike in a way because both wisdom and knowledge use factual information. In college, I think I am both gaining knowledge and wisdom. I am acquiring knowledge through all the information I am learning in my classes. On the other hand, I become more wise through the experiences that we gain. A classic example is learning the best study methods and ways to be the best student I can be and succeed in college. Continuing on, I think that the Information Age has molded us to become more knowledgeable since information is easily shared among each other through the use of technology; and today's technology is continually improving by the second. It is difficult to day that the Information Age is making us wiser because the technology is mostly doing the work for us to get any information. I believe that only those who are responsible for creating the technology are the ones gaining wisdom from the trial and error experiences that they go through trying to perfect technology. 

The Varying Communication Styles in Different Cultures

Different cultures consequently have different ways of communicating. Since each and everyone of us were brought up in a different way, when we are all brought together we noticeably see the differences, most especially in the communication styles. Our text talks about the examples that can prove this point. Take for example silence. Silence may or may not be taken as a positive or negative notion. For many cultures in Asia, it is seen as a valuable key in communication. On the other hand, the European Americans find it uncomfortable. Another varying method is personal space when communicating. Here in the United States, as well as countries in northern Europe and in Canada, we have greatly observe personal space and we do not really touch people while talking. However in places such as Arab and countries in Latin America, it will be taken as being rude and distant. Being the critical thinkers that we are, it is essential that we recognize these differences and respect them. In our lives, we will not only encounter people who grew up around the same practices as we did. And when the time comes that we are faced with contrariety, we need to learn to set our differences aside.

Rhetorical Devices

Many of us use a variety of rhetorical devices in our daily discussions. Its purpose is to persuade others to believe a thought or idea without the use of reason. Within the past weeks, I can say that I have use a variety of these rhetorical devices, but the two methods that I am going to discuss in this post are hyperbole and lie. Hyperbole, as most of us know, is exaggeration. This is a very common technique that we encounter almost in every conversation. For example just earlier today, I told my friends how difficult one of my midterms was. I used the expression, "It was so hard, I almost passed out on the third question." Realistically, I did not feel like passing out or anything near that, but instead I was just really nervous and wanted to get every answer right. Another device that I used was a lie. A lie is a false statement that is intended to deceive. Even if we all are aware that lying is a horrible habit, it is sometimes inevitable. Last week, my parents were constantly reminding me to fill out my FAFSA application because it was due in a few days. That week was a busy one for me, and completing the FAFSA was just not at the top of my to-do list. And so when my parents asked me, I just lied and told them that I finished it when I really did not turn it in a couple days after telling them that I did. I used these methods to persuade people to believe whatever I say so that they can get a sense of how I see and feel different about different thoughts and situations.

Sally Rider's Crtical Thinking Skills

After reading a piece of her biography, we can say that Sally Rider exemplifies many attributes of a critical thinker. First of all, being able to achieve a PhD in Physics and a degree in English shows that she is highly skilled in the field of research and inquiry. Ride also received a dignified job with NASA, and got the chance to study in an astronaut class with the few chosen ones. This exhibits her creative problem solving techniques. These classes are not easy, so for her to be chosen and to finish, she must have stood out by solving problems effectively. In addition, Ride also showed off her effective communication techniques when she addressed the United Nations and made a report for NASA. She did not stop here. She continued to enhance her skills through writing children's literature focusing mainly on her line of work, space exploration. Throughout all her achievements, she executed many analytical skills. From studying in college, to earning a degree and working with NASA, she needed to use the best tricks of an effective critical thinker.

Cultural Attitudes and Emotions

All of us have emotions, and it is simply inevitable for us as humans to be reasoning out situations without having our emotions influence it. In the text, it gives examples such as Buddhists believe in love in all beings as a basis for a logical critical thinking. Because of this, we need to keep in mind that at times, we need to set our emotions aside to arrive at the best decision we could possibly come up with. Our feelings allow us to get the best of ourselves in some situations. For example, if a son or daughter is upset at their parents for grounding them,  he or she might choose an act of rebellion such as maybe not doing their chore well or sneaking out of the house to get back at his or her parent. Though emotions may be seen as a negative thing, it could be used sometimes to improve our critical thinking. It can be used as a motivation to the best final decision.

Evolution and Belief in God

Both of the articles strongly contradict each other. Aquinas says that the existence of God can easily be supported by reasoning. On the other hand, Dawkins opposes his proofs and argues that God's existence is bogus, but rather people are forced to believe about the nature of God and not God in himself. When it comes to reasoning these two articles out, I think evolution and belief can work hand in hand in deriving a point. I am not going to fight the idea that believing that something so great and powerful must have existed before any of the things we have now started. But with a strong background in Catholicism, faith is what connects the two together. Although evolution states that a single thing must have started the rest, and belief argues that God has just simply been present since the very beginning, with faith one can say that believing in His existence, He must have in one way or another started, and was the ultimate reason as to why there is such existence in everything else. As for Aquinas' response to Dawkins, I think he would disagree and reason that a stronger faith will help a person justify his or her reasoning and beliefs of what is going on in this world.

Strengths and Weakness in Reasoning

Each one of us has our own strengths and weaknesses. It is extremely crucial for a person to be able to recognize these assets that they possess in order to work towards solidifying their strengths or working on their weakness. In my case, I believe that one of my strengths when it comes to my reasoning is in deduction and generalization. I believe that the best way to approach a problematic situation is to find a premise to support a conclusion within every reasoning. A resolution would be more credible if it was supported by propositions. In addition, generalizing a reason is at times beneficial for other occurrences. In instances where a quick verdict needs to be made, looking at the bigger picture would be the most efficient method. In a career choice, I would say the best type of reasoning is deductive. If the pros and cons are weighed out efficiently before making a huge decision such as what career path to take, then this seems to me is the most logical approach.