One Paragraph Summary

       The main topic of this section was reason.  It is one of the 3 types of knowledge. (Which are 
experience, authority, and reason)  It is also a part of the last piece of the process of knowledge.  After 
we have perceived, categorized, evaluated, and symbolized, we use our reasoning to test our 
knowledge to see if our initial assumptions are correct.  Many times, flaws in this process of knowledge 
can lead to evil things, such as being prejudice, using stereotypes, or being narrow minded.  Other 
common thinking errors are non sequiturs (coming to a conclusion that does not follow from the facts), 
false or vague premises, ad hominem (attacking the person instead of the argument), begging the 
question (using your own argument to prove that it is correct), and red herrings (statements with no {or 
very little} relevance to the topic that are used to distract others from the topic at hand).  The reading 
book states five steps that will lead to critical thinking and help to avoid these problems.  They are: 
Knowing your facts, remembering the principle of contradiction, defining your terms, being ntellectually 
humble, and looking for different perspectives.

3 Important Ideas

       1) Process of knowledge - This process is perceiving, categorizing, evaluating, symbolizing, and 
testing.  I think the process of knowledge is a very important thing to understand and remember.  If 
you can understand how you perceive and rate the world around you, you will be able to see the flaws 
in your reasoning a lot easier.  After learning this process, I've been able to notice how much I 
improperly categorize people and how much I don't perceive in the world around me.  Because this 
process has helped me to notice these things, I am one step closer to eliminating these evils in my life. 
(or at least make them less)
       2) "What The Bleep Do We Know" - I thought this movie was really good because it gave a very 
interesting view of the world that I live in.  It really helped to show how much a good outlook on life can 
really halp change your life and the lives of those around you.  It showed me how just my attitude 
toward things can perminantly change my physical and mental state into something better or worse.  It 
also helped me to look at the little things that I take for granted.  I can't be sure that my perceptions, 
my memories, or even time itself is actually what i think it is, and, depending on how I perceive these 
things, they could completely change my life.
       3)Five common thinking errors - These errors, as explained above, are non sequiturs, false/vague 
premises, ad hominem, begging the question, and red herrings.  If you are able to understand these 
five mistakes, it will help you to keep away from using them in your own arguements.  By not falling 
into this distorted reason, you will have a clearer and more understandable view of life.  This will 
evetually lead to happiness and an overall better life.

Reflection Task
       Now that this lesson is over, I plan on trying to look harder at how I perceive, categorize, evaluate, 
and symbolize the world.  Through this, I plan on trying to eliminate prejudices and stereotypes that I 
have.  I will also try to perceive the good side of things which should help me to lead a happier life.