Nature Of Logic And Perception

Running head: NATURE OF LOGIC AND PERCEPTION

Nature of Logic and Perception

University of Phoenix

PHL 251 Critical Thinking BSIS0447

August 23, 2005

Nature of Logic and Perception

The perception of a particular situation and the logic used to reach that perception can be vastly different from the actual situation. Normally, only through the process of critical thinking can the actual situation be determined. This is not to say that the nature of logic and perception are not related to critical thinking. There is a close relationship between logic and critical thinking skills, but ignoring the critical thinking process and reaching a "logical conclusion" based on inferences and personal opinions could lead to a wrong or misguided conclusion.

In order to better understand the relationship between critical thinking and logic, it is necessary to first define each one.

"Critical thinking is a mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that are offered as true. It is a process of reflecting upon the meaning of statements, examining the offered evidence and reasoning, and forming judgments about the facts" (Wikipedia, 2005).

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2005) defines logic as "a science that deals with the principles and criteria of validity of inference and demonstration: the science of the formal principles of reasoning." From these definitions it becomes clear that there is a relationship between the two terms, but they can also be viewed as completely different subjects. Reaching a decision based solely on logic, which may include inferences and reasoning clouded by personal barriers such as enculturation, may not always be the best decision. "Enculturation has many different sources or influences. One of the major influences is the family in which we grow up. There we learn our religious beliefs, ethical standards, prejudices and stereotypes, eating habits, and worldview" (Kirby & Goodpaster, 1999). The process of critical thinking, if applied correctly, should lead to decisions and conclusions that are not distorted by personal barriers. William Graham Sumner's (1940) following quotation offers an excellent summary of critical thinking:

[Critical thinking is]...the examination and test of propositions of any kind which are offered for acceptance, in order to find out whether they correspond to reality or not. The critical faculty is a product of education and training. It is a mental habit and power. It is a prime condition of human welfare that men and women should be trained in it. It is our only guarantee against delusion, deception, superstition, and misapprehension of ourselves and our earthly circumstances.

Throughout my life I developed my own sense of perception and logic that is full of personal barriers. The source of those barriers can be traced to my childhood. I, like every other person, experienced enculturation and other influences while growing up, such as my family and the environment that I was raised in. One example in which my perception of reality was far from the actual reality, stemmed from my father's career path. My father had a long career in the military.