Week 5: Discussion

Ashford 6: - Week 5 - Discussion

Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Reference the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

The Virtues of Critical Thinkers

Before answering this week’s discussion prompt, complete The Graduate interactive scenario. You will notice that there are multiple arguments presented to influence your perspective on the issue confronted in the scenario. You confront arguments every day. In our digital age, however, they do not merely happen in face-to-face gatherings. Media and social media are often used to convey arguments. What aspects of what you have learned in this class apply to the analysis of such arguments? Keep these considerations in mind as you complete this week’s discussion.

Your instructor will choose the discussion question and post it as the first post in the discussion forum. The requirements for the discussion this week are a minimum of four posts on four separate days, including responses to at least two classmates. The total combined word count for all of your posts for this discussion, counted together, should be at least 600 words. Answer all the questions in the prompt, and read any resources that are required to complete the discussion properly.

In order to satisfy the posting requirements for the week, complete your initial post by Day 3 (Thursday) and your other posts by Day 7 (Monday). We recommend that you get into the discussion early and spread out your posts over the course of the week. Reply to your classmates and instructor. Attempt to take the conversation further by examining their claims or arguments in more depth or responding to the posts that they make to you. Keep the discussion on target, and analyze things in as much detail as you can.

For further instruction about how to address discussion prompts in the new format, view the key terms and discussion videos visible in the Week One Standard Form Arguments discussion.

The Value of Logic in Life

Instructor Paik

2/16/2017 4:35:59 PM

Modified:2/19/2017 1:58 PM

The Value of Logic in Life

One of the advantages of learning logic and critical thinking is that it can benefit all areas of one’s life. The ability to research all sides before arriving at a position on an issue, the humility to consider opposing points of view in a fair minded way, the wisdom to evaluate the quality of reasoning for and against decisions, the capacity to recognize and avoid logical fallacies, and the skill to be able to construct effective reasoning all can benefit one’s life by helping one: To arrive at positions that are most justified by the evidence (and therefore more likely to be true), to make decisions with a more comprehensive perspective of the different points of view, to better understand other people’s perspectives, to be more clear and persuasive in one’s reasoning, and to avoid making decisions that are not carefully thought through and to make decisions that are rationally justified.

Reflect: This discussion will discuss specific ways in which the study of logic and critical thinking can benefit you in your personal life. Some general categories you might consider are:

Performing at the highest level in your education
Achieving your potential in your career
Effectively using your time and skills
Intelligently managing your finances
Making responsible investments/purchases
Not falling for scams of any kind
Improving personal relationships
Correcting bad habits and developing good ones
Choosing a path in life that one finds most personally fulfillment
Or another relevant possibility

Write: In your response, present and explain at least two areas of your life that can be benefitted by using logic and critical thought (you may choose from the list above or use another area of life). Then provide at least one specific example each of how logic and critical thought can be applied to those areas of life (one example was given in the interactive exercise from week one, of how you could use logic to demonstrate to your boss that you deserve a raise). Conclude by discussing in more general terms how the further application of these skills can provide you will more success and fulfillment in that area of life.

Example

There will be no example for this discussion: please make sure to do some self reflection and follow all aspects of the prompt, including:

Present and explain at least two areas of your life that can be benefitted by using logic and critical thought
Provide at least one specific example each of how logic and critical thought can be applied to those areas of life
Conclude by discussing in more general terms how the further application of these skills can provide you will more success and fulfillment in that area of life.