Assignment: 1

Nayab Shamsi
Id: 13464
Course: philosophy and critical thinking
Teacher name: Syed Jauhar Mehdi Naqvi
Marks: 10
Question 1. What is Critical Thinking?
ANS) Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding
the logical connection between ideas. It is essential in various aspects of life,
including academic pursuits, professional environments, decision-making
processes, and everyday situations. It helps individuals develop a deeper
understanding of complex issues, make sound judgments, and arrive at well-
informed and reasoned conclusions.
In your given video you describe critical thinking, how we see the world as we are,
not as it is in itself. And Scout’s Mindset, emphasizes curiosity, unbiased truth-
seeking, and facing reality, even if that reality is unexpected. Galef contrasts this
with a "soldier mindset", which she says is a natural tendency to use motivated
reasoning to defend one's existing beliefs instead of being open to changing
them.
The default mindset for many people is the "soldier mindset," where the focus is
on defending existing beliefs and avoiding any evidence or arguments that
challenge them. This mindset involves rationalization, motivated reasoning, and
wishful thinking. The term "soldier mindset" is used because our language often
employs militaristic metaphors to describe reasoning, such as shoring up beliefs
or shooting down opposing arguments.
In contrast, the "scout mindset" offers an alternative approach to thinking about
beliefs and truth. It involves a different way of considering what to believe, being
open to new ideas, and actively seeking evidence and information. The scout
mindset encourages exploration and discovery, rather than defending
preconceived notions.
Example:
I might apply critical thinking in our studies to work out the best way to approach
our group project. I make decisions such as who will complete each task, and in
what time frame. I solve problems like how and where they will meet outside of
university hours to work together.
Question 2. What is motivated reasoning?
ANS) Motivated reasoning theory suggests that reasoning processes (information
selection and evaluation, memory encoding, altitude formation, judgment, and
decision-making) are influenced by motivations or goals. Motivations are desired
end-states that individuals want to achieve.
Individuals engage in motivated reasoning as a way to avoid or lessen cognitive
dissonance, the mental discomfort people experience when confronted by
contradictory information, especially on matters that directly relate to their
comfort, happiness, and mental health.
Example:
Someone has coffee every morning before work, Monday-Friday. It is safe to say
that based on these facts this person likes coffee. All dogs bark, and this animal
barks, so therefore this animal is a dog. In winter it will snow, because it is winter
there will probably be snow.
Question 3. What purpose does it serve?
ANS) They are 6 overlapping categories:
1. Comfort
2. Self-esteem
3. Morale
4. Persuasion
5. Image and belonging
It serves as a cognitive process that guides individuals' behaviors, decisions, and
goal-directed pursuits. It helps individuals align their actions with their
motivations, prioritize their goals, regulate their behavior, and adapt to changing
circumstances, ultimately facilitating personal growth and well-being and It
engage the individuals in motivated reasoning as a way to avoid or lessen
cognitive dissonance, the mental discomfort people experience when confronted
by contradictory information, especially on matters that directly relate to their
comfort, happiness, and mental health.
Question 4. What is accuracy motivated reasoning?
ANS) Accuracy motivations involve the desire to be right or correct, prioritizing
the pursuit of truth and objective understanding. Accuracy motivated reasoning is
characterized by a willingness to challenge preconceived notions, engage in
critical thinking, and evaluate arguments and evidence objectively, without being
swayed by emotional or ideological biases.