2
Critical Thinking:
Critical thinking is more than just a phrase in education; it's a process. It involves the skill
of piecing together information, solving problems, and seeing the bigger picture. As a nurse, critical thinking is crucial in making informed decisions that positively impact a patient's health.
Heart of the Matter (Chapters 12, 13, and 14):
After delving into Chapter 2.3, "Looking Ahead," it's clear why the authors designate Chapters 12, 13, and 14 as the "heart of the matter." They view these chapters as pivotal because they focus on inference and explanation, delving into powerful forms of argumentation like comparative reasoning, ideological reasoning, and empirical reasoning. By "heart of the matter," I believe the authors mean that these chapters get to the core of understanding how humans think
and why reaching reasoned accord is often challenging.
The two key concepts emphasized in these chapters are inference and explanation. Inference involves drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning, while explanation entails clarifying and justifying one's reasoning. These concepts are essential to critical thinking as they delve into the foundations of argumentation and help us understand the contrasting ways humans think.
I define inference as the process of drawing logical conclusions based on available evidence and explanation as the articulation and justification of the reasoning behind a particular conclusion. In essence, they are integral to constructing and understanding arguments.
Challenges & Insights:
I just bought a house in a suburb one hour away from Chamberlain. Balancing my personal life, work life, education life, and everything else will cause me to use critical thinking
