Reasoning as a Resource
Reasoning plays an important role in that there isn't a concrete right or wrong, it is based on common sense. Common sense is an important element in our lives because not only can it help solve problems and come to conclusions, it often keeps us safe from harm.
As we gain new experiences,the knowledge base that we create increases our ability to reason. This allows us in general to improve our problem solving skills. younger students on the other hand, have not had as much experience which may hinder their ability to find solutions.
What role does reasoning play in the critical thinking problem solving process?
Joseph,
I completely agree with you that right and wrong are not correctly identified as independent preferences on an individual basis. I also completely agree on the "predictable order of the universe" which provides consistency for things like reasoning, research, scientific method. I believe truth to be absolute (not relative) and independent of the perceiver.
However, I have often found myself in situations with two, three, four or five options for a decision (including - the option to not decide) and I was unable to determine the 'right answer' because the best options available each had something significantly wrong with them. Then it became a matter of choosing the least wrong, which often hinged on the dependence of "from which perspective" could the choice be viewed as least wrong.
This seems to me to not be evidence that truth is not absolute, but that we do not (yet) have the intellectual capability to understand it completely. So the best we can do is work with our imperfect understandings to get as close as possible to the right answer. The difficulty is that we all have shortcomings of reason, experience and intellect in uniquely different areas and proportions. We (as humans) know so little about reality (e.g. Dark matter and dark energy supposedly account for over 95% of the mass-energy of the 'known' universe.) So we reason, research, experiment and get as close as we can collaboratively and independently. Newtonian physics has a lot of 'correct' and practical answers, but it is still 'wrong' in comparison to the absolute truth (of, for instance, gravity). But it was the best we could do (and it did a lot) until Einstein came along and provided a better explanation (see orbit of Mercury), but there are still errors which require dark matter and dark energy to explain away 95% of the 'known' universe. I'd say we still have a very long way to go.
Your point is well taken and heartily agreed that our culture of relativism is a large part of the problem in our contemporary thinking (in schools and out).
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Having scrolled-through the responses to this question, I'm saddened (an emotional response!). I tend to think that many of the responses given, just might be coming from the end-results of the educational system, itself. In discussing this topic, I've noticed that there appears to be many who fall-into the "There's no right/wrong - just what works for you" philosophy. THERE IS, ABSOLUTELY, A RIGHT AND WRONG ANSWER !!! If there wasn't . . . science, math, grammar, physics, geology, medicine, law, AND, Ethics, to name a few, would not exist, or at least have no value, whatsoever . . . AND . . . no consequences. "Reasoning", tells me (based on the foundation of right and wrong) that if everyone does as he/she pleases, we can expect to live in fully-operational "Anarchy". We, as the instructors, should be using reasoning for its' appropriate role: To "Stimulate" thought-provoking scenarios, in order to sift through them, and weed out, the right from the wrong. If one of my students believes, that electricity won't kill them (based on the same - what works for you notion), I, must also reason, that I may possibly be attending a funeral in the near-future, because my "Knowledge...and Judgement" are telling me both, the right, AND, wrong answer. I submit that, a question . . . is an opportunity for discussion, and a discussion is a resource for reasoning . . . and reasoning, is a deliberation (and research) of the facts. They are either right or wrong... not, right/wrong for me.
As we know reasoning is often called common sense...We all call on our common sense everyday to make decisions...it could be just said go with your gut feeling....
I think that using common sense is crucial the problem relies on timing, we live in a very busy atmosphere that sometimes we do not stop to think on the importance of it.
Scott,
Very good observation and summation. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Reasoning plays a very important role in critical thinking. It is like an internal buffer that we use to look at our data and what we have analyzed about it. It can tell us that we are right on track or way off base
Kathryn,
Excellent explanation and rationale. Also, good use of Covey's work. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Habit 5: "Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood."
I see reasoning as a crucial step in problem solving. Reasoning is what we do to make sense of something. Problem solving is what we do to come to a solution, which requires us to make sense of the situation at hand.
Marcia,
Yes, implementing a discipline process for thinking through the positive and negative impacts of the possible outcomes. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Reasoning is using common sense to solve problems, see different options,possible outcomes and using judgment to come to a conclusion.
bobbe,
Very true and straightforward. This is a terrific summation. Nevertheless, many students who would even agree with the statements above but may not be able to implement this 'common sense' approach when asked to apply it to specific situations in their areas of study. How do we get them to reason in practice? Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
You have to utilize a common sense approach to figure out any prospective problem. Once you clearly understand what the problem at hand is and you collect pertinent data and input from other sources to clear up the assumptions, you can see what your options are at that point, and sum up your results to alleviate the problem that you encountered in the first place.
Larry,
Yes, a solid foundational understanding must be acquired before other concepts and skilles are built upon them. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I try to repeat to the students that if you don't understand the concept(foundation), you can't solve the problem. Thats why it is critical to pay attention and ask questions from the beginning of the course.
Miriam,
Well stated. The building of the ability to reason well can be greatly influenced by formal training and life experience. Of course, most our learning is informal, so the formal is a refinement of what is learned from life experience. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Reasoning is the organized, step-by-step thought process that "helps individuals see the different options, segments and outcomes of critical thinking and problem solving."
Reasoning is also a skill that an individual may develop through life experiences, to include formal education.
Pandora,
Yes, I agree that all postsecondary curricula should require critical thinking instruction. Many do this, but most are somewhat inadequate according to many professionals in the field. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
