Decision Making Methods

Introduction:

Whenever we reason, we base our reasoning on some assumptions, with some things taken for granted because all reasoning must begin somewhere. Any "defect" in the assumptions or presuppositions with which the reasoning begins is a possible source of problems for any novice student in critical thinking.

Assessing skills of reasoning about assumptions involves assessing this team's ability to recognize and articulate their assumptions, again according to the relevant standards to this particular class. Our collective assumptions we feel are stated clearly within each presenter's scenario. You the assessors of this presentation will make the ultimate decision on the individual or teams clarity.

The assumptions made collectively by this team or any individual team member leaves the presumption of clarity, thought, and the standard principles of structure, which formulate the initial stages in the process of critical thinking to your own discerning capabilities.

Our collective or individual awareness to identify clearly unstated assumptions, assumptions underlying given inferences, and the associated points of view are strictly and consistently our primary goals? To evaluate accurately different formulations of the assumptions, to distinguish precisely between assumptions, inferences, and conclusions, and to rank reasonably those assumptions with respect to their plausibility. In addition, we strive to be intellectually fair minded by choosing the most plausible version of assumptions regardless of their own individual merit or underlying points of view with which the team or individual may disagree.

The feedback this team receives from our peers and facilitator on their ability to meet the relevant standards will be a large factor in the improvement of each team member's own powers of reasoning and critical thinking. We have perused the ideal of clearly identifying the assumptions of each scenario to determine whether they are justifiable.

As a Team we considered how our assumptions might shape the overall teams point of view and thus leave the resounding areas of feedback to the capabilities of our peers within this class. Your individual and collective feedback will enhance our perceptions as well as that of the class.

Assumptions:

Thought Provoking Questions That Probe Assumptions

While you read each different scenario, please consider each of the questions below and provide some feedback to team "c" after you finish. This will be greatly appreciated.

What are you assuming?

What inferences are you making from your assumptions?

How justifiable are they?

Are your assumptions justified and well supported?

What could this team assume instead?

The team seems to be assuming. Do I understand you correctly?

How would you justify taking this for granted?

All of your reasoning depends on a particular idea that?

Why have you based your reasoning on this particular idea rather than?

Is this always the case? Why do you think the assumption holds here?

Why would someone make this assumption?

What values are your assumptions based on?

What would your assumptions be if your values changed?

Principle: Sound reasoning and critical thinking is based on some assumptions, with certain measure of thought taken for granted simply because all reasoning must begin somewhere.

ASSUMPTION SCENARIOS:

Scenario One: Presented by Ð'- Andrea Thomas

Celeste is a wife and mother of two young children. She is in her mid-30s and has decided to go back to work. Her husband, a college professor, works an extra job, and so is tired all the time and does not spend enough time with the family. Celeste wants things to slow down for him. She will put the children in daycare. She'll have a 45-minute commute. The extra money will help Jim give up extra commitments. Economically, they will remain about the same but the burden will now be shared more fairly. She expects these changes will make the family happier.

What are the assumptions underlying this scenario? (List at least five)

The family will be happier

The extra money will help Jim give up extra commitments/quit extra job

The burden will now be shared more fairly/if she goes back to work, she came help out financially

Jim will spend more time with the family

The changes will in turn make the family happier

What should the individuals in the scenarios do to validate their assumptions?

Ask her husband what he thinks about her going back to work

Check out daycare prices to see if they would be worth her going back to work

Check the classified ads

Ask her husband if the extra job is the reason he is tired all of the time

Performed the commute to make sure that it will be 45 minutes

What are some other alternatives available to the individuals in this scenario?

Work out of the home

Try working out a budget/see if they could afford for Jim to quit his extra job without her going back to work

Find out if Jim enjoys working all of the time, see if he wants to slow down

How would you check the assumptions you believe are being made? (Discuss alternatives)

Hold a counseling session with Jim and Celeste separately to find out where they both stand on the subject

Check out the prices of daycare to see if it would be feasible for her to go back to work

Scenario