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Critical Thinking and Ethics

For this paper, I was asked what the relationship between critical thinking and ethics are. In order to answer that question, I must first answer the question of what is critical thinking and how are ethics related to it. One thing that is certain about success in any and all aspects of life is that you must have at least basic critical thinking skills and a strong foundation of ethical belief. Critical thinking entails being able to appreciate all sides of an issue, as well as at least small level of ethical integrity; being able to differ right and wrong at all times. There are six steps in the critical thinking process which will help you better be able to take advantage of the process. The first step in the process is remembering, or asking yourself can you recall the key terms, facts, or details. Then you have step two, or understanding, can you explain the details in your words. Next we have step three, or applying, can you use the idea to produce the desired result. Step four, or analyzing, what are the steps or procedures used in the process. Next is step five, or evaluating, can you rate the truth, usefulness, or quality of the idea and give valid reasons for said idea. Then finally there is step six, or creating, can you create something new based on this idea.
Using a tool called the Ethical Lens Inventory we can determine how our ethics dictate or influence our critical thinking ability. For example, I use my reasoning skills (rationality) to determine both the universal rules that each person should follow (autonomy) and the processes that will assure fairness and justice for all in the community (equality). This tells me something I already knew; I value autonomy and equality equally. Interdependence is the goal, harmonizing the rights of individuals with the well-being of the community. I value rationality

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