1. Explain/define the following by way of Lewis Vaughn text Chapter 2

Explain one obstacle to critical thinking that occurs because of how we think.

An obstacle to critical thinking because of how we think are psychological factors such as fear, attitude, motivations, and desires. Psychological factors are an outcome of egocentric thinking (Vaughn, 2019). For example, individuals accept certain claims because they advance their interests or save their face.

Explain one obstacle to critical thinking that occurs because of what we think.

An obstacle to critical thinking that occurs because of what we think are philosophical factors. Certain core beliefs undermine an individual’s critical thinking.

Explain the difference between subjective relativism and social relativism.

Subjective relativism holds that truth depends solely on a person’s beliefs (Vaughn, 2019). It makes critical thinking appear superfluous. It emphasizes that it is an individual who decides what is right or wrong. It has its consequences. For example, if a doctrine is true, then every individual is infallible. Another shortcoming of subjective relativism is that it is self-defeating, for its truth implies its falsity. Social relativism on the other hand holds that truth is relative to societies. This means that beliefs depend on the context in the sense that context explains why people believe in what they believe. This is a claim that would render critical thinking irrelevant. Like subjective relativism, this view has logical flaws as it is self-defeating.

Explain what a stereotype is.

A stereotype is a fixed belief that is overgeneralized about a particular group or class of people. Stereotyping infers that an individual has an entire range of traits and abilities that are assumed to belong to all members of a social group. Generally, stereotypes lead to social categorization, a factor that promotes prejudiced attitudes.

Explain what a worldview is

A worldview refers to a set of beliefs about fundamental aspects of reality which ground and influence how one perceives, thinks, knows, and acts in the world in which they live. The expression of a worldview can take the form of ethics, philosophy, religion, scientific beliefs, and similar parameters. A worldview explains how culture works out in individual practice.