Journal 3
1.)One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the major idea of the section.
The major idea of this section was "Reason." On page 58 of the RB reason is defined as "the power to think in such a way that we proceed from what we know to what we do not yet know. The process of of reasoning consists of perceiving, or encountering the information, categorizing, which is simply organizing the information we have perceived into categories, evaluating, which involves going through the data to determine what is important and what is not, symbolizing, or chosing words or symbols that accurately convey your ideas, and finally, testing the information you have encountered. However, it is important to keep in mind the five common thinking errors: non sequiturs, false or vague premises, Ad hominem, begging the question, and red herrings.

2.)List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
A. The most important idea from the course I want to remember is the process of reasoning: perceiving, or encountering the information, categorizing, which is simply organizing the information we have perceived into categories, evaluating, which involves going through the data to determine what is important and what is not, symbolizing, or chosing words or symbols that accurately convey your ideas, and finally, testing the information you have encountered.

B. Secondly I want to remember that knowledge comes in three forms. The first is from experience, or when we actually go out into the world, make mistakes, and learn from them. The second is from authority, meaning someone that knows much more about the subject than we do gives us information. Thirdly we learn from reason, which means that we encounter a problem, step back and go through the process of reasoning to come to a conclusion.

C. Finally, I want to remember the definition of philosophy. Philosophy means "love of wisdom." To be a philosopher means that one must ask all the big questions, like "what is the meaning of life?" A philosopher must make observations and come to logical conclusions without making any thinking errors. Most importantly, a philosopher must be open minded and be ready to accept the possibility that he/she will not get many of the answers that he/she seeks.


3.)Images that remind me of the main topics of this section:

click image for source


click image for source

4.)One question that I will keep with me to ponder.

What does it mean to be human?

5.)What should I try to do to make myself a better person, a more faithful person, from this study?
After having read the contents of the reading book concerning this section, I should know how to properly reason, and that is exactly what I hope the I get out of this section. I hope that I am able to reason while avoiding the use of the five common thinking errors and staying true to the five steps of critical thinking and the process of reasoning.




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