Critical Thinking- Blog#3

In Alec Fisher's article "Critical Thinking: An Introduction", he attempts to provide a thorough and multi-layered definition of critical thinking and its various facets. He concludes that it is a "contrast to unreflective thinking" in which one acts blindly and without great forethought. Additionally, he states that it is an active and dynamic process in which one questions one's own thinking. These summaries relate strongly to and aid significantly in the exploration and understanding of both the success of Rachel Maddow as a writer and the recent outbursts of conservatives(namely Barney Frank and John Lewis)in response to Obama's healthcare reform bill.

Rachel Maddow, responsible for creating her own show, relies heavily upon the current events of America for inspiration. In doing so, she not only draws great interest but also provides evidence enabling her to be defined as a critical thinker. She interprets the general frustration and disgust at news as an invitation for further study. With such a large quantity of information and data available on a daily basis to the general public, Maddow saw the imminent frustration in people's attempts to synthesize. Thus, in her show, she succinctly presents the information, making it more accessible and easier to grasp. Maddow's work as a writer and director ties to the ideas of critical thinking in that she enables deeper thinking and reflection with her work. Instead of simply glazing over the information, she presents her material in a manner which requires deeper thought. Also, Maddow herself implements critical thinking: in order to successfully attract her viewers and create an appealing presentation, she had to think through and foresee the results of her stylistic choices.

The recent outrage at Obama's healthcare plan, as discussed in "Sarcastic Times", presents a total reversal of critical thinking. In disgust and disapproval at Obama's new bill, conservatives have openly protested and made offensive insults towards him and his administration. Some Americans, especially those prone to the traditional form of government, are furious at the changes to their country, especially that of an African American president. These rude and sometimes highly hyperbolic outbursts present an example of unreflective thinking as outlined in Fisher's article. In disregard of thought before action, protestors of the bill have ignored common sense and overseen the implications and consequences of their actions. In a racist fury, they have failed to use critical thinking in order to maintain a dignified approach and demeanor like that which should be expected of a politician. Fisher's definition contrasts so consistently with the actions of said conservatives that they could be said to serve as counterexamples to his classification.

In conclusion, Fisher's clarification of critical thinking poses a perfect template for comparison between Maddow and the republican conservatives. Each acts as a figurehead for critical and unreflective thinking respectively. Fisher finalizes this difference in thinking as a need to better our thinking habits. Those who act rashly are merely not exercising critical thinking. One would hope that those in opposition to the bill could at some point reformulate their thinking to active and critical.