I want to know why we had to buy a book on globalization and a book on the 13 american arguments. Its not that I don't find the books informative, its just that they seem much better suited to a humanities class, not a critical thinking class, the thirteen american arguments paints all republicans in a poor light and makes demicrats look almost "godly" I've read ahead a little bit and it seems very biased. Globalization is a very interesting book, its informative and thats great, but I dont understand what globalization has to do with critical thinking, crital thinking is taking what we hear and looking at it objectively.
Now that I have that off my chest.
I find the class "debates" exciting its very interesting how everyone is using opinions to back everything up, I know I do it myself. I also realize that there is no right answer to a lot of issues thats why we have the our system set up the way it is, its set up as a majority rules. For example even trial by jury its always the majority that rules your sentence, voting for a president is the same thing its what the MAJORITY wants! Not whats right or wrong.
I'd like to go back to the first class that we had when we talked about the 2nd amendment, something thats been bothering me is that the amendment says:
A well regulated MILITIA, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Well the reason I caps all of militia is because militia means:
An army composed of ORDINARY CITIZENS rather than PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS.
Something to think about when putting the second amendment into some thought when you have nothing else better to do. :D
Nice post. I also found the 13 American Arguments book to be considerably biased--sorry to add to the negativity here, but it's true. lol
ReplyDeleteTo give one example, the book (in chapter 1) regarded the extremely controversial topic of abortion as if almost everyone felt pretty good about it and agreed on the issue, but there were a handful of opposers who were solely in opposition to steal everyone's rights away. It's an interesting read anyways.
I also enjoy the readings in the 13 American Arguments. It really made me think about who was considered a person. I don't think cells are considered people, like if someone were to take birth control to prevent pregnency, they aren't killing a human being because the human being hasn't been formed yet.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know, Critical thinking is a humanities class.
ReplyDeleteI also find the "13 American Arguments" a biased book. There are some interesting points in it, but some things are hard to believe when the Democrats do are praised, but the Repulicans are slashed. This might seem negative, but I believe it is part of critical thinking.
ReplyDelete"I don't think cells are considered people.."
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this all day, are cells considered people? Then I started to think what a person is made of, and I thought about the order of cells...1.atoms, 2.molecues, 3.cells, 4.tissues, 5.organs, 6.organ systems. All of what make up who we are come from cells. For example, look at our heart, our heart is made up of tissue, and tissue is defined as a cluster of specialized cells, so if a cell is not considered a person, then what makes us so different then the zygote to label us "people?" Aren't we both just made up of cells?
Personally, I find it very interesting to look at how some things are viewed. Being that this class is considered a part of the humanities it shows that something that people think is completely opposite has much more in common than necessarily meets the eye.
ReplyDelete". . . so if a cell is not considered a person, then what makes us so different then the zygote to label us "people?" Aren't we both just made up of cells?" -- jpraab
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is no biological difference--the latter stage of human life is only further developed. I'd also like to add that there is nothing added after conception (aside from nourishment, that is), but the cells from then on only develop and mature.
As Raj said in class, the current political view as held by those in power to control abortion is that a person has to have the ability to choose for themselves (or make a choice) to be worthy of the "human" tag--the only exception being that if a pregnant woman is murdered, the murderer will be charged with double homicide (yes, for both lives he took).
abortion is such a complicated subject. i'm sure many of you--if not all of you--have seen the billboards that say, "life begins at conception". but maybe it starts at birth or even 1.5 months into the pregnancy with the first heart beat. scientists are still debating and have not yet been able to agree on when exactly life starts.
ReplyDeleteit is supposed to be our right as people to have freedom of choice. a choice to abort a baby, a choice of who will be president, etc. we all need to step back and ask ourselves, "how much freedom is too much?" should women really be able to put an end to the life growing inside them just because it's their own body?
I believe the second amendment to the constitution has been a very controversial, yet cherished right among many Americans. Many people across the United States would fight for that right because for some their firearm is a part of everyday life. Hunting, hobby shooting, Law enforcement and even military personnel require firearms in the execution of their everyday duties. It is unfortunate that many lives are lost each year to the firearm's power, however, I believe that a firearm is a tool with dual purposes that contradict each other. One: To defend lives, property, country, and or ideals that are in danger of being lost. Two: To cause destruction and/or death for the purpose of doing so because you have the "right" that is granted to you by the constitution. This is truly how some people think and yes, it does scare the living hell out of me, but when put into the hands of the right people, weapons can put down the bad guys and help protect things that are bigger than you or I. Liberty, Country, Family. These are things that I personally would fight for in a heartbeat if someone or something tried to take them away from me. As Americans we know the sacrifices that we have to make to keep the freedoms and rights we enjoy as the world's beacon of hope and prosperity. We also know the sacrifices of the wars we wage to preserve these ideals and freedoms. Firearms are necessary to protect us from all of the people who would do us harm because they don't want to see the world a peaceful and free place for all human beings to coexist and be happy. As I see it, Barack Obama has the right idea to help America get back on track as far as our foreign policies and our military operations overseas go. I have developed the belief over the years that there isn't but one race on this planet: Human. The sooner everyone understands this fact the sooner weapons of all kinds, whether we're guaranteed the right to possess them or not, will be rendered obsolete and unnecessary for we will become a planet at peace with each other and with every nation. I, as President Barack Obama does, can dream, hope and pray for a better future not just for America but for the world as one race, one people, one planet.
ReplyDelete". . . so if a cell is not considered a person, then what makes us so different then the zygote to label us "people?" Aren't we both just made up of cells?" -- jpraab
ReplyDeleteVery good point. If a woman has an abortion 2 weeks into her pregnancy she will not give birth to a baby, but if she waited, nine month a baby would be born. So why wouldn't it be a baby at 2 weeks gestation? Let me give you an example. Lets say you decide to paint a picture. The first day you work on it, you only get the foundation paint put on the canvas. A friend asks you what it is and you say it is a painting, it is just not finished yet, you still need more time before it will be finished. After working on it for several months it is finally a beautiful painting. Although it took a long time for it to be completed, it was still a painting the whole time, just like a baby.
I have a question though. Are there really no right answers? Is everything okay as long as someone's happy? And this isn't an attack. This is just a question. True meaning and typed conversations don't mesh well. But yeah, wouldn't critical thinking oppose the concept of not having a right answer?
ReplyDelete