Question

See page 14 and respond to the section titled "One Step Further" and answer the three questions associated with the reading.

One Step Further

Martha Nussbaum, philosopher and professor at the University of Chicago School of Law, has argued throughout her career for the importance of philosophy as an instrument of social good. In the following passage from her book Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities (Princeton University Press, 2010), she outlines the benefits of critical thinking for a democracy.

I shall argue that cultivated capacities for critical thinking and reflection are crucial in keeping democracies alive and wide awake. The ability to think well about a wide range of cultures, groups, and nations in the context of a grasp of the global economy and of the history of many national and group interactions is crucial in order to enable democracies to deal responsibly with the problems we currently face as members of an interdependent world. And the ability to imagine the experience of another—a capacity almost all human beings possess in some form—needs to be greatly enhanced and refined if we are to have any hope of sustaining decent institutions across the many divisions that any modern society contains. (10)

1.Nussbaum is clearly trying to persuade us. Is she using a rational or a nonrational means of persuasion? Explain your answer.

2.Nussbaum sees value in critical thinking in part because it allows us to see the viewpoints of those different from ourselves. In what ways is that argument relevant to critical thinking’s value in the classroom and workplace?

3.What value do you see in critical thinking?

Answer 1

1.She is approaching for Irrational means of persuasion that is emotional and subjective ground. Though her approach is so human, and she is speaking about the humanity and understanding each other indifference point, the ability to understand the citizens mindset and their requirements based on their different cultures and background. As per those who understand all these things can handle the nation which comprises of we people. To understand someone, step into his/her shoes and then take a step ahead. Therefore, her approach is subjective in nature which revolves around the intangible forms of emotions, humanity, talent and moral and conscience of one.

2 Yes, these are the true qualities of a leader that is required to manage the diversified team and the people from different cultures, race, ages and background. A leader must be in a state to understand their attitudes to understand their best capabilities in order to align the interest of his team to the interest of Organization as a whole and make the best use of their different experience, innovative skills and attitude. Once you understand your team, you know how to get the work done and how to motivate them towards the organization’s Goal.

Similarly, in the classroom, if a teacher understands the difference in background and cultures and language of their students, they will be able to guide them better.

3 Humanity would be the soul of critical thinking. If we think from other’s point of view, the conflicts that have arisen would be settle down. There will be more love, respect and care for other people. Similarly, if every citizen become active, understanding the purpose of our existence and the people around us, we shall be able to make our generations well in moral values and good ethics which we currently facing downside. Critical thinking in terms of our conscience would make the better human and better people. At least it will change the mindset of the people to work for common good and sustainability. Though it may not be rational to think emotionally always, as when you must run the nation, logical and rational decisions have to be take in order to serve the justice. Critical thinking work for personal level and whereas rational would work for nation as a whole.