A500.2.3.RB_MaryCatherineMyers

I have found, throughout my life, that I hold myself to certain standards. People hold themselves to certain standards because they are used to gauge thoughts, ideas, and actions. Upon reflection, I have found that while I mainly hold Non Critical Thinking Standards, I also value many Critical Thinking Standards.

Accuracy is one Critical Thinking Standard that I value the most. I always try to be accurate in the statements that I make as well as in my actions. Nosich explains accuracy by saying, “What matters for accuracy is not whether I believe a claim, but whether that claim actually fits the way things in fact are.” This statement holds a great deal of value to me, and this is a point that I always stress to my students. Think critically using accuracy to make decisions. I really enjoyed the idea that sometimes, it is more comfortable to keep your beliefs even when you receive evidence that your beliefs are not accurate. I feel that this is most important, especially when you are being open minded about a subject. I acquired this standard through my education and being honest with myself. People are prone to make quick judgments and opinions without thinking them through and using reliable sources. This is something that I value about myself, I try not to jump into a conversation or discuss ideas (in the academic world), unless, I feel that I am confident enough to hold an intelligent conversation. This is something that has always bothered me about fellow students and people in general. All too often I have come across people talking about a subject as if they know exactly what they are talking about, when in fact, they are spewing incorrect information. I feel that this standard should be one valued by everybody. One should always be on the lookout and have an open mind to accept information that they may not have known prior, and use it to help avoid generalizations or help shape their knowledge. This has changed greatly over the years and through my education. I did not realize the importance of being accurate until my academic career when you have a reputation to uphold. I pride myself in trying my absolute best to speak accurately and always be open minded for correction.

I also value many Non Critical Thinking Standards such as being moral. These standards I have acquired mostly through my parents, and I am whole-heartedly thankful they instilled these ideas in me. Having morals is something that will never change in my life. There are certain ideals and thoughts about topics that I will never change. To me, being moral means choosing right from wrong, and many of these morals that I hold are the ‘hot topic’ issues in society. I do not waiver when it comes to moral issues. It is who I am. I believe that people should be treated kindly, given natural rights, and follow the laws of the land. I also believe in the value of human life. These issues are black and white to me. Often, it is easy to be swayed one way or the other especially when you have a charismatic speaker or someone you look up to speaking to you. I think that it is very easy in college or in life, to have somebody like a professor, or politician tells you are wrong in your thinking. It takes a strong person to stand firm in your beliefs. This is something that I matured into understanding. I realize that this may sound contradictory to my above paragraph in accuracy. For example, one action that I am morally opposed to involves abortion. Scientists say all too often that a fetus is not a child and put stipulations on what makes someone ‘alive’. I believe that a person is alive at conception. I will never change my opinion on this.

I believe that sometimes standards are difficult to keep. It is hard to understand how I can value accuracy, as well as keep morals even if I know the facts of the situation. It seems to contradict itself. But, somehow I am okay with this. It is hard to understand and wrap my head around it. I suppose that as I get older, this will make more sense to me.

Nosich, G.M. (2012). Learning to think things through: A guide to critical thinking across the curriculum (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

A500.1.5.RB-MaryCatherineMyers

Intellectual Perseverance is important in the progression of my studies because it lays out the format on how to deal with issues that may arise while at the same time using intellect as opposed to irrationality. One portion of the definition of intellectual perseverance resonates extremely well with education, “a sense of the need to struggle with confusion and unsettled questions over an extended period of time to achieve deeper understanding or insight.” This, to me, epitomizes the process of education. Often times, one finds themselves at odds with the content of their studies and can become confused or even upset when they realize a truth. This is part of the process, there will always be times of learning and answering unsettling questions. It is important to know that these questions will make you wiser and you will achieve a deeper understanding of the content. For example, often times in my studies in the field of history, I discovered many instances of social injustice that I was not aware of, like the treatment of Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. I was horrified to learn that the Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes only to be segregated into camps across the United States. Through this unsettling information, I gained a deeper understanding of the state and mind of the nation at that time. I gained a deeper understanding of the fear and resentment that Americans held after being attacked by such a fierce enemy unexpectedly.

Intellectual perseverance is something that every good leader should know and understand. Being a leader will always come with difficulties, obstacles, and frustrations, but it is important to deal with these calamities using rationality and intellect. When problems arise, people look to their leader to help move them through the obstacle safely and efficiently; this takes a skilled levelheaded leader. One portion of the definition of intellectual perseverance comes to mind when I think about a leader, “firm adherence to rational principles despite the irrational opposition of others.” To me, times of opposition are what helps society or a group grow. These are the times when a leader needs to be rational and open to intellectual insight and truth. If the leader is going to make an educated decision that affects many people, it is necessary to make sure that they are receiving facts and the correct information. Sometimes it can be hard for a leader to weed out the irrationality of suggestions or oppositions of others in the group. For example, using my experience in education, disciplining children in the classroom can be difficult. As a teacher, you are the leader of a group, the students in your class. Generally, children, by nature, can be irrational. Often times, this leads to opposition and discipline problems in the classroom. An effective leader needs to be able to come to a conclusion with the student who is out of hand. For this to be successful, the teacher needs to stay rational and use best principles when disciplining the student. The student will look to the teacher to be fair in their ‘punishment’.

Intellectual Perseverance is crucial to any situation that involves a group of people as well as in your studies. The definition of Intellectual Perseverance serves as a guide to help handle rough situations and come out on the other side with growth and insight.