Unit 1 Discussion Board Assignment (Assertions-Arguments)
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Jan 9, 2024
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PHI 1301 – Critical Thinking Discussion Board Assignment
Unit I
Welcome to the first unit of our Critical Thinking course! In this unit, we will focus on what it
means to develop the lifelong skills of thinking critically and maintaining fair-minded
perspectives on all kinds of issues that we encounter in life, business, politics, education, and
beyond.
The unit I material speaks of the very nature of critical thinking itself. Thinking critically is to
think reflectively, to think intentionally, to think with a purpose.
Have you ever considered what sets us as humans apart from other animals in the world?
Have you ever set your mind on a particular idea or object or issue, and then wondered if
other animals can do the same thing in similar ways?
Have you found yourself in situations where you must solve a problem that involves
complex moving parts?
Whatever answers you may give to these questions, by virtue of our humanity we share a
common power: rationality. Indeed, many philosophers have said that rationality – our ability to
think critically – is our defining characteristic as human people. Immanuel Kant, for instance,
said that our rationality is what allows us to act as moral agents in the world – to make ethical
decisions, and to live meaningful lives.
Considering how significant our rationality is, how important it is, then, that we take time to
think about what we think, how we think, and the ways that thinking critically can impact our
spheres of influence in positive and powerful ways.
Let’s begin this journey together and have a great first week learning more about what it means
to develop strong arguments and what it means to be a critical thinker!
Discussion Topic
Please note that there are two posts needed to successfully complete the discussion board
assignment. An initial post addressing the discussion board topic is due by the end of day
Saturday. A response post to at least one other student is due by the end of the day Tuesday.
Part I:
Introduce yourself to your classmates with your name, location, current employment, and
future goals
Part II:
Chapter 1 of our textbook explains the difference between an argument and an assertion.
Give your own example of an assertion. Our textbook author states that assertions do "...little
other than impart information." Why do you think assertions should be true? In other words, why
does truth matter?
If no initial posts exist to allow for a response to be made, you may submit an additional initial
post addressing another aspect of the unit topic.
PHI 1301 – Critical Thinking Discussion Board Assignment
Assertions and Arguments
Part I:
To Introduce myself to my fellow classmates, my name is Joey. I currently reside in
Jacksonville, North Carolina. I work full time as a lieutenant for a fire department located on the
eastern shore of North Carolina. I also work part time as an emergency responder for my
county’s fire and emergency services department. My goals for the future include completing my
associate degree in fire science, which will allow me to be promoted to the role of captain at my
fire department in the future.
Part II:
Everyone makes assertions to share key information and to defend the argument we are
having with actions that we have coordinated that we have experienced. My example of an
assertion would be “in the fire service industry, engine company work is superior to truck
company work.” My assertation is true to me because I have many years of experience working
on a fire engine, and I can argue my opinion by using past experiences to support my argument. I
believe that assertation are true based on the weight of the argument. Certain arguments cannot
be won based purely on opinion, and that’s when assertations lose their credibility. I believe that
the truth matters because every opinion formed after a false statement is an opinion based on
misinformation.
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