1.6: Chapter Summary

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 8046

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

What should be abundantly apparent to the reader at this juncture is that Aristotle’s measures of good thinking is a precursor to critical thinking that has passed the test of time. He along with other philosophical scholars have provided pathways relevant to ethical decision making today. A significant take-away from this section is simply this, a thirst for knowledge is a sound behavior for ethical thinking. As such, one must practice critical thinking daily, until it is second nature. Critical thinking requires the formation of a hypothesis (Why not this way or that way or specifically this way.) that may be based on experience, skill sets developed to date, and knowledge.

A key ingredient required to test this opinion is intellectual curiosity. Members of the CJ system may have received a degree from an institution of higher education prior to entering the field or one may rely on a certificate of training that has qualified you for participation in the CJ endeavor. Neither of which has qualified you to stop thinking. Ethical and moral guidance, the drive to get it right, and a continuous search of fact to establish a well-grounded opinion should be ones prescription and not a proscription to moral reasoning.