A500.5.3.RB_LarsonKurt, Critical Thinking about Critical Thinking

Take some time to reflect on the current state of your critical thinking competencies.

At this point in the course I do not see where my critical thinking has gained any headway from prior to the course or the degree work.

What I have seen is a greatly improved understanding of critical thinking and why I think and conduct myself the way I do. As an example, the SEE-I method of writing has been a valuable tool for clarifying which is an excellent method, from which to begin critical thinking and formulating clearer questions in my mind from which to put to practicality.   

Consider your thinking processes when you started the course. Have they changed at all?

I still consider what I wrote in A500.1.4.DQ, Critical Thinking regarding Matthew Lipman’s definition of “Critical thinking is skillful, responsible thinking that is conductive to good judgment because it is sensitive to context, relies on criteria, and is self-correcting”.

I believe that this definition is the most accurate and my preferred definition. It addresses salient points like skillful and responsive thinking, good judgment, relying on criteria with the opportunity for self-correction during the process.

Also for critical thinking to occur two things must take place. (1.) There must be reflective thinking, in other words, one must be cognizant of ones own thinking, and (2.) high standards must be met for reflective thinking and reasoning that is done well.

With this in mind my approach to reflective thinking and how it effects critical thinking has gained a broader notion and clarity in that for critical thinking to have a beginning or gain some ground after commencement, Reflective thinking must occur as a catalyst much like assumptions. Assumptions were at one point for me something that was utilized as an uneducated guess; I have since changed my thoughts on that, as assumptions are not an educated guess or making an ass-out-of-you-and-me. But rather assumptions are the key to critical thinking and if you are aware of the assumptions you make you can also be further aware of and evaluate them to be better in charge of your critical thinking.  

Have you been able to internalize any of the techniques and concepts you have learned?

Yes as stated in the last section, assumptions have taken on a new meaning and concept for me. I believe I am a bit more free to act on my assumptions while keeping them in check to a particular topic to check and see if they are reasonable or worthwhile pursuing.

I further believe that as it is a newfound skill, I need to be cognizant that some may either be unaware of or hold to the old definitions of the word.

Action research is another area I have been unfamiliar with. It is important to remember that action research was developed for and by higher education as a means toward higher end professional and teacher education utilizing action research in a working method or manner. It has evolved over the years into various disciplines such as: management education, organizational studies, social and health care work as well as other professional pursuits. action research causes reflective questions like: improving ones work, and accountability as being part of a good and professional practice with the desire toward developing and increasing your knowledge base and a higher level of expertise.

What will it take to make lasting, positive changes in the way you think?

I guess as I mature and find myself into more high-end career choices, and furthering my education at the graduate level and possibly beyond.

I stick to the core beliefs of: Honesty, Loyalty, Cleanliness, Strong moral compass and Forward thinking as discussed in: A500.2.3.RB_LarsonKurt, Tell Your Story.

My outlooks tend to be shaped to a greater extent by my family beliefs, my professional attributes and the education of my degree work. Those things blended together are what are shaping me for the future, while my core beliefs are keeping me on track and focused.  

A500.4.3.RB_LarsonKurt, The Art of Choosing

A500.4.3.RB_LarsonKurt, The Art of Choosing

After reviewing the TED video by Dr. Sheena Lyengar on the art of choosing, I could not help but think of Helen Keller and some similarities between the two.

Although years apart and somewhat differing degrees of handicaps, the two never let the lack of one or more of the basic senses impede their quest for understanding and intellectual capability’s.

It was never mentioned if Dr. Lyengar was blind from birth or lost her sight later in life? She has more than made-up in her other senses for the lack of sight. Her analysis that choice is more highly valued in the United States vs. in Japan is a bit disconcerting knowing the geographic, political and infrastructure both countries consist of. For example, the U.S. is pockets of cities with vast open ranges with a republic style of government, while japan is a very tightly woven society with not an inch to spare for housing, industry and agriculture. So it would appear that as encroachment continues and available land decreases, so would the luxury of multiple choice and options. Also the U.S. is based upon individual freedom vs. Japans is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited.

American’s do like to make their own choices and are fortunate to live in a country where we can and do basically have the freedom to make our choices, provided they do not infringe on the rights of others.

Dr. Lyengar is correct in her assumptions that too many choices are as bad if not worse than too few. In my humble opinion, to many choices would tend to degrade or devalue the value of the individual choices. A classic example would be Starbucks, there are so many choices of coffee options available, that most folks who want-it-all wind up with a concoction they most likely did not wish for in the first place and are unwilling to admit to. Me, I like plain old strong black coffee… an easy and simple choice.

I do disagree with Dr. Lyengar on her analysis about never saying no to a choice, just because it is a choice, does not necessarily mean it is a good one or of a real value, intrinsic or otherwise. And sometimes choices are designed to confuse and bewilder the consumer into believing they are getting a better value than the really are… a typical marketing ploy.

To sum things up in a nutshell, the KISS theory comes to mind. It is easy, not confusing and usually has some merit to it when confronted with the possibility of the likelihood of too many choices.            

A500.3.4.RB_LarsonKurt, Explore the Hunt Library

A500.3.4.RB_LarsonKurt, Explore the Hunt Library

As you explore the Hunt Library, reflect on how you might use the Library as a resource for your studies.

How is the scholarly information you found in the library different from the typical information you find when you Google a leadership concept?

I have utilized the Jack R. Hunt Library for both Undergraduate and Graduate research work. In the beginning I found it to be a bit cumbersome and difficult to extract books, articles, videos or research help. Several courses during my Undergraduate work I was required to seek and borrow several periodicals from the library via mail and return them after word. I must admit that in this world of the Internet and virtually instantaneous search engines available, I thought this an archaic method of obtaining information for a research paper? However after completing the task, I must admit that it was a rather enjoyable way of obtaining information, reminding me of my High School years and earlier much before the Internet.

The most readily available and usable search engine in the Library is EAGLE search.  EAGLE search is an excellent dedicated and creditable search engine, for use by ERAU students and above all… it is free, or at least rolled into tuition costs, so, one might as well utilize all the benefits the University has to offer.

As an example, typing in the search block “Organizational Leadership” returns 313,418 ProQuest results with access to the abstract, full on-line text, citations, email, print, save to my research and see similar document features that have been developed and deployed with the student and facility in mind, for proper and seamless researching of a multitude of topics.

Consequently search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing as example, are powerful and detail oriented but lack certain clarity of the quality and amount of possibilities they deliver. As an example, I typed in “Organizational Leadership” into Google and was returned with 8,990,000 possible choices in about 0.59 seconds. A lot of sensory overload and too many choices to even consider… including the notoriously inaccurate Wikipedia, which has seemed to get its claws into all topics these days both great and small.

There are many fine University’s listed out there in cyberspace from which you could choose to do your research, like Purdue University’s OWL, which is second to none when it comes to accurate and trustworthy research paper information and formatting. 

Plus many pay for information and data sites, however, how does one really know the accuracy and content of those sites.

The Jack R. Hunt Library contains a multitude of topics from which any student would be able to do effective and accurate research plus the ability to cite the work accurately and with the minimalists of difficulty.   

A500.2.3.RB_LarsonKurt, Tell Your Story

A500.2.3.RB_LarsonKurt, Tell Your Story

What are some standards that are most important in your life?

Standards that are the most important in my life and have always proved to be good indicators or barometers of situations and acting as a compass to sticking to my guns, when the majorities are inclined to go with the preverbal flow are:

Honesty – I am an honest individual and expect the same from my associates and those in my personnel life. I leave little room for those who wish to be “less then honest” as the term is used in todays world. You are either honest or not… simply put another way, you are either pregnant or you are not, no room for in-betweens or sliding scales here.  

Loyalty – I am a fiercely loyal individual who cannot spell the phrase “Politically correct” or good enough for government work. Particularly in aviation, I prefer two colors… black and white. The aircraft is either airworthy, or it is not airworthy. I was taught to fix aircraft like your family was going to fly on it. 32 plus years later that standard has proven to be correct 110% of the time and it is the standard I still teach and enforce to this day.   

Cleanliness – If things are unclean and unkempt, there is a generalization to let things slide until there is total chaos and a constant state of disarray and disrepair.

Strong moral compass – I possess an extremely strong moral compass and it always points toward true north. Even as true to form, as I can be it may on occasion vary to magnetic north, but it is a short travel back to true north where it should remain. 

Forward thinking – I am constantly looking to build a better mouse trap to improve my self, my life and the things that surround me that I have control over. I can make an excellent case to superiors and others why something should be changed for the better, but in the end, we only can change what we have direct control over. The rest we must positively influence.  And those who are content with good enough are generally critical toward myself, my forward thinking ideas and my no moss under my feet policy… notice I did not use the term “progressive”.

How did you acquire those standards?

I was fortunate to have acquired these standards early in my childhood by parents and family members who were simply passing the torch from one generation onto the next. I was also highly involved in scouting with my brother and father as well as an affinity for the outdoors and hunting and fishing, with a respect of nature to only take what you need and always give back. I also live to this day by the Boy Scout Oath and the teachings of the Masonic Organization of which I have been a member for over twenty years. The military has also been a great provider to re-emphasize and instill the need to be loyal to yourself, your county, your family and friends and those who are in need. 


How have they changed over the years?

The only thing that has changed over the years is my unwavering and increasing dedication toward myself and those around me.

The simple fact is the moral decay of todays society, is a cancer that has taken root and will decay those who are unintelligent enough be caught in its trappings. There are those who will use people as pawns and then cast them aside is the ultimate betrayal. Considering my career in the military and now as a civil servant, the vast amount of corruption in our government today and the cavalier attitude that the elected official(s) display toward the people of this nation is egregious and irreprehensible. It is NOT an excuse to throw in the towel and join the ever increasing mindless sheep who are slowly being lead to slaughter… only they are not intelligent enough to realize that thing are not always as they seem. Today’s good time friend, provider of unearned and undeserving entitlements will be tomorrow’s judas and betrayer.