Question

How does the scientific method aid human critical reasoning processes?

How and why have you made assumptions or inferences on important matters, regardless of data or evidence to the contrary? Examples here might include: fad diets, telepathy, precognition, psychokinesis, vaccinations, UFOs, magnetic therapy, apparitions, cold fusion, Bigfoot, alternative forms of medicines, genetically modified plants, etc. Describe how you have thought about this issue and analyze how you could improve your critical reasoning on this issue using the scientific method.

Answer 1

Critical reasoning is a process whereby knowledge and experience are applied in considering multiple alternatives to achieve the desired goals. Both of the scientific processes of inductive and deductive cognitve skills are used here.

Regardless of evidence, assumptions have been made while critically reasoning is because critical reasoning is a purposeful, self regulatory judgment using cognitive tools. It is a self directed, self monitored and self corrective thinking. This way of reasoning then underlies independent and interdependent decision making.

In order to improve critical reasoning a scientific method could be used. It could be following certain steps such as:

• Identify the problem
• Deconstruct the argument
• State the goal
• Work from wrong to right