Kennedi Santomenna - HUM 1020 - CRN 14242

Chapter 2: Critical Thinking

(Novel Pictures | Freepik)

"The older we get, the more precious does the mind become (2.1)."

    Not only does the mind become more precious, but the mind also strengthens. There have been numerous times where my parents have given me advice and I never listened. Little did I know, they were not born yesterday. The mind holds great power. By getting older, we can see how much value we gain from just using our minds. The elderly hold a lot of wisdom and experience and at a young age, we are unaware of our capabilities. That's why, when our grandparents say, "If only I knew that when I was younger", we don't understand what they are telling us until we reach their age. 

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(Active listening skills for every UX designer | by Keann K. | Bootcamp | Medium)

"We should listen carefully to what others tell us before we make up our minds (2.1)."

    In common cases, when someone is telling you advice that may not fit your understanding, they may prove a point. It is always good to listen to multiple standpoints to better your understanding, but you should never cut out someone's ideas. This can go along with making opinions about someone. Let's say someone told you that Sarah is a bad person, but someone else told you that Sarah is a good person. Before you make your judgment, you should listen to both perspectives to make your claim as to whether Sarah is good or bad. By opening your ears, you can open your mind to endless possibilities based on what you believe in.

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(People Thinking to Make Decision, Problem Solving and Find Creative Ideas with Question Mark in Flat Cartoon Background for Poster Illustration 6409485 Vector Art at Vecteezy)

"The first step in solving such a problem is to define it—to determine whether a problem actually exists (2.3)."

    Misunderstandings are very common when it comes to problem-solving. To decide whether or not there is an issue, it is good to break it down. Sometimes it is harder to decide that based on your own opinions. It is recommended to talk to someone about your feelings before it becomes another misunderstanding. Based on my own experience, I can say that about 75% of my problems resorted to not being a problem at all. This can include anything regarding personal relationships, work, or just the environment. If there isn't a way to talk to someone, go through a list of questions to ask yourself. It is easier to debunk your "problem" by seeing if there is one.