Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays

Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays

PHL/458

July 9, 2014

Critical and Creative Thinking in Society Short Essays

The week one-course syllabus contains several questions that require a response. Accordingly, the following four essays cover various topics that pertain to critical and creative thinking in society. The verbiage is limited, yet concise and is provided from a personal perspective.

Topic One Response

During the recent Fourth of July holiday, family and friends gathered to celebrate our great country and socialize. As many in attendance had military backgrounds, inevitably, the conversation turned to issues that America currently faces. One situation of public interest and concern is the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State (IS) that has captured large swaths of Iraq. President Obama, during his second run for president, made a goal of his campaign to not only end the war in Iraq, but also to exit the country.

His failure to secure a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to protect our military serving in Iraq after the drawdown directly contributed to the current crisis. Many view this as a political decision, rather than a decision which called for review of all relevant data, detailed analysis, discussion, critical thinking, and creative thought. Combined, they may have provided a better outcome. Ruggiero (2012) stated, “At its best, discussion deepens understanding and promotes problem solving and decision making” (p. 12).

Many senior military, as well as experts from the Central Intelligence Agency, had predicted events unfolding today in Iraq. Had the SOFA been agreed upon, approximately 15 to 25 thousand military members would have remained in Iraq. The force would have been an effective deterrent against IS. It is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations. Politicians must place the need of the country ahead of personal goals. Decision makers must look at the consequences of actions contemplated, as well as develop second and third courses of actions using all available tools should the need arise.

Topic Two Response

Free will is the ability or discretion of a person to choose freely, regardless of circumstances, the choices that may affect his or her life. Free will includes the ability to control and assume responsibility for one’s behavior. Free will is used to form thoughts by allowing individuals to release both external and internal effects and create free will thoughts.

Truth is that which conforms to fact. A person’s upbringing and life experiences also determine what one acknowledges as truth,