Essay Prep (Test #1) Flashcards
How Does Manley Characterize the
Mindset of Good Reasoning?
1) Curiosity
2) Thoroughness
3) Openness
Curiosity
- allows us to be guided where the evidence leads us, without concern for the outcome.
- approach other views and evidence with indifference, in hopes of discovering how things are in actuality, desire to know the truth
- intrigued by opposing views
Curiosity Example
E.g., I recognized a shift in my daily routines, habits and mannerisms, which led me to research my symptoms and consult my doctor. They diagnosed me with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and gave me different treatment options.
Thoroughness
- slowly, and deliberately combing through alternative beliefs instead of blindly assuming what’s seen on the surface;
- requires us to dig to deeper levels in consideration of other views
Thoroughness Example
E.g., from everyday life: During my stay at the mental health ward, I was assigned a nurse, we were alike as we both carried the same mental/behavioral disorder (OCD). After my discharge I made a declaration that I would become a nurse like her, despite altering my plans and squeezing in chemistry and biology courses to meet the pre-requisites. After deliberately spending a month questioning this choice, I recognized that it was an emotional decision (I was never gifted in the sciences, and was more interested in social, and English based academics). So, after my public affirmation of becoming a nurse, I did some introspection that led me to view it as an emotional response due to my circumstances and reverted to my original career choice.
Openness
assuming an impartial position when considering other views; rid of biases, and acknowledging defects in our original/preferred view
(openness to revision) ability to revise our prior beliefs when faced with new evidence,
Openness Example
E.g., Being a picky eater and trying new recipes and dishes, expanding my palette
What are the three stages of reasoning described by Manley?
1) Search Stage
2) Evaluation Stage
3) Updating Stage
Search Stage
divided into two elements:
considering all available alternating views and; the potential supporting evidence ascribed to each view.
Search Stage Example
E.g., researching different brands of shoes that are acceptable for outings, school and work
Pitfalls/Tendencies in Search (First) Stage
Restricted Search: can counter this stage, a form of confirmation bias where we fail to consider differing views alongside their evidence, which is a monumental hindrance as during this stage we are encouraged to explore and rummage.
Possibility Freeze: a cognitive pitfall that can hinder this stages’ potential and ability; only considering a select few alternative views minutely, engaging in this shortcut can lead to over-confidence in our initial view as we are inaccurately scouting for a broader range of differing views.
Evaluation Stage
determine and rate the strength of each identified evidence/supports; eliminates bias and permits us to revise our beliefs in accordance with other beliefs backed by stronger evidence
Evaluation Stage Example
E.g., Rating the shoes I’m interested in based on comfortability, appearance, compatibility with style. I initially favored the high-top white Converse; however, they take a long time to wear and are easily dirtied.
Pitfalls/Tendencies in Evaluation (Second) Stage
Evidence primary effect: tendency to give early information more evidential weight than later information; influenced by memory, tend to remember things in order
Bias Blindspot: the assumption we’re not being bias when we are; we’re unable to recognize this pitfall due to its non-transparency. This blind spot is tricky because it’s not apparent to our introspection, and we may “feel” we’re being fair and impartial when we’re just blind to it. We’re unconsciously threatened by challenges toward our original view.
Updating Stage
adapting and reworking our degree of confidence corresponding to the newly presented evidence. Difficult stage as we are sometimes unwilling to alter our beliefs and trade them for others (possessions hard to part with)
