ARQ Chapter 1 response:

Some values or characteristics of a person who is a critical thinker can include; a good listener, someone who is able to see both sides of an argument, and someone who can see beyond the scope of their own opinions and values.  I think that being a good listen can apply to the themes suggested in our classroom agreement.

Strong sense and weak sense  critical thinking differ in how much effort is put into the critical thinking being done, making strong sense more difficult than weak sense. In weak sense you are simply taking in everything said, and not truly digesting anything. In strong sense you are sorting through the information and getting a better understanding of it, even questioning it, making it harder than weak sense.

In this class an argument is simply a conversation in which people share different views and opinions. This argument differs from an argument with parents or friends as they are usually conflict related and emotion based, not relying on facts as we would in an in class argument.

I think that it is so difficult to find the “right answer” to many questions about human behavior and society because there are so many different aspects of behavior and society. Different situations and factors, can change the ‘answer’ for every person and society. The answer for one persons behavior or explanation for a society can be different for another.

Why Questioning?

I relate to this chapter in that as i got older, i stopped asking questions. Mostly because, as mentioned in the chapter, asking questions made me feel inferior or dumb. While asking questions has allowed me to become more informed, and made difficult tasks easier, it also means sometimes i have to step outside my comfort zone and speak up.

I think children stop asking questions because adults can often become frustrated, either with the constant questions or their own lack of answers. I think people like Bezos or Jobs keep questioning because they’ve found a way to ask questions that will lead them to where they need to go, a door opening another door rather than a concrete explanation with no room for further discussion.

As a college student asking questions can only further my education and my understanding of topics and conversations. Questions in my future profession and work environment can allow me to reach ideas and conversations not otherwise discussed, as well as developing relationships with those around me.