Demonstration of Critical Thinking Essay

The textbook in chapter one page 4 defines critical thinking as: a collection of skills we use every day that are necessary for our full intellectual and personal development it basically means to be able to have good judgment , make good decisions, and how to think rather than what to think. Another set of terms that are found in the textbook is Affirmative Action which is a political, and social controversy about race and equality when hiring potential employees or admitting students into a college university usually this involves minorities who may or may not have the necessary credentials or are unable to meet certain criteria for acceptance it is based merely on a person’s race, or even sexual gender or both. Sometimes affirmative action can seem unfair to Caucasians who may qualify can feel a sense of discrimination themselves it can create a hostile environment if not dealt with properly Nancy Cantor a woman who is the Chancellor at The University of Syracuse is in favo r of affirmative action and hopes that the process will improve in the future and create more harmony and understanding and that all people will be treated with respect and dignity. Ward Connerly an African-American male and college professor is not in favor of affirmative action because he thinks that it is unfair to white Americans to not to get the opportunities that they have worked hard for in their careers and in educational pursuits I find it difficult to choose one side or the other however for the sake of this assignment I reluctantly agree with Ward Connerly personal drive, responsibility, and character should be the motivation for admission and acceptance not skin color, sexual gender, or nationality. Both sides use excellent critical thinking skills on this subject however both of these individuals are minorities themselves and may have had some negative experiences in their past in career and education which may be the consideration for their points of view they are valid and can be used in the process of critical thinking. Affirmative Action in itself is an opportunity for critical thinking skills in that you have to have an open mind and not be a relativist thinker it involves taking positive steps to correct certain injustices against certain  groups as well as maintaining the standards set by employers and educational institutions. In June 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court found that the admissions policy of the University of Michigan Law School, which awarded points to applicants based on race, was flawed. However, in its final ruling the court permitted race to be considered as one among many factors when considering individual applications for both the law school and undergraduate admissions. The majority of Americans (53%) oppose college affirmative action programs that give the preference in admissions to blacks and other minorities, arguing that it constitutes reverse discrimination and, as such is unjust. Proponents of affirmative action note that it is a positive step in the right direction be needs work.