PHIL 347 Week 1 Assignment: Journal

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PHIL-347: Critical Reasoning

Prof. Name:

Date

Week 1 Assignment: Journal Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the process of analyzing and reflecting on information before making decisions. It is something we apply in our daily lives, often without realizing it. For many individuals, critical thinking becomes second nature, where decisions are made almost instinctively, as muscle memory takes over. However, there are situations where one must pause and carefully evaluate before making a decision. As a nurse, critical thinking plays a vital role in patient care. It involves applying evidence-based research, the doctor’s orders, and my own knowledge to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient.

Heart of the Matter

Chapters 12, 13, and 14 of the text are considered the “heart of the matter” because they connect various elements and provide a deeper understanding of critical thinking. These chapters serve as the core, unifying all the concepts introduced earlier and offering contrasts in the way people think. According to the authors, even with our best efforts, there will always be some uncertainties lingering in our minds. This suggests that our thinking is often more influenced by our beliefs about things than by the things themselves. In these chapters, inference and explanation are emphasized. Inference refers to the interpretation or conclusion drawn from information, while explanation seeks to clarify the reasons behind those conclusions. Although I am not entirely sure about the significance of these concepts in critical thinking, I believe that for an inference to be made, there must be a clear explanation for the conclusion. For instance, if a TV show I love is abruptly cancelled, I might feel upset. However, understanding the explanation behind the decision would help me better process and accept the reason for its cancellation.

Challenges & Insights

One of my main challenges in this course will be keeping up with the weekly readings. I do not enjoy reading books and tend to prefer PowerPoint slides instead. Since this is an online course, I must train myself to read the chapters and absorb the material without the guidance of a live lecture. The concepts I have learned so far will help me in avoiding hasty conclusions. I now recognize the importance of analyzing situations to understand what went wrong before jumping to conclusions. Personally, I tend to be hot-tempered, especially with my family, likely because I let my guard down with them. The lessons I am learning about critical thinking will help me in managing my emotions, benefiting me more than anyone else in my family.

References

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