Logic and Perception

Logic and Perception

The online website, dictionary.com, defines logic as the study of the principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as distinguished from their content and of method and validity in deductive reasoning. (http://dictionary.reference.com/) This same website defines critical thinking as the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion. (http://dictionary.reference.com/) I think in simpler terms critical thinking is thinking smart as opposed to using unreasonable and illogical thinking. Critical thinking is not necessarily looking at things negatively. Logic relates to critical thinking because you need to use reasoning in order to look at something critically and see both sides.

I think my perceptual process is based mainly on my morals that I have formed throughout my life. I also think that the influences of significant individuals, mother, father, and teachers, in my life have been major influences in my perceptual process. During many individual's lives, they are taught from an early age to believe in God. Does that mean that there is a God? Not necessarily, however, this proves that important people in someone's life have a major influence on their ideas and beliefs that they hold true. There are obvious good perceptual values that I was taught, including the idea of do not steal. These basic ideas form a sound basis for my own ideas. There are other ideas though where I may need to seek the advice of others. When buying a car, I will seek the advice of respected friends who have a lot of knowledge on this subject. I highly respect their opinions, and will use their ideas to make my final decision.

I think the influences in my life that have helped to form perceptual process at times also may have hindered me. These influences in my life have trained my thoughts and ideas to such a degree that at times I have not thought for myself. I have taken these ideas as fact without looking at them from my own perspective. I think the situation where I have seen this the most is not respecting another individual's point of view. When I have been taught something was right for so long, it is difficult to listen and look at another side of a story openly. I think the problem is these ideas have been around me for so long, that