Chapter 4 Question 2

In “Perspectives on Evaluating Evidence for the Existence of Unidentified Flying Objects” there are three authors who have different views of the topic of UFOs. The reading starts off with Condon’s argument. He basically states that what evidence that has been shown has been stated before and there is nothing new being discovered to prove the existence of UFOS. The next author Hynek, in which he states that we do not have enough scientific evidence, mainly for the fact it is not organized and not properly studied. He also goes into detail with mass media and how it has affected the study. That there is confusion with beliefs from movies and the lack of attention of scientists that UFOs will be hard to get by. He then by giving a way to actually goes about studying this. The last author was Paynter, in which he believes that since there is no physical evidence that he cannot be true and anyone who believes it is all faith not science. I happen to side with Paynter, because like him, I need physical evidence.  

Chapter 4 Question 1

In my opinion wisdom and knowledge are two very different, but similar things. For me, knowledge is facts and things we learn in school. Everything that our teachers have taught us about English to math and science to history are all things that boost our knowledge. The more of that you know, the more knowledgeable you are. Wisdom on the other hand is life lessons. Being about to know right from wrong is all part of wisdom. In college, I think the obvious fact would be that we acquire knowledge, but in my case and I think many others also acquire wisdom. I have gone through quite a lot of difficult life challenges during college that helped shape the kind of person that I am and I thank the college experience for that. And I believe that the information age has only made us more knowledgeable, because like I stated before, you learn wisdom through life.

Chapter 3 Question 3

One area that I found interesting to read about in this chapter was the section about language. There are so many different types of language that I never even thought about. I always thought there was just verbal and physical language, but there is so many different ways to communicate with language. There is informative language, which is provides facts or says that something is true or false. For example, pointing at a car and stating that it is a car. The car is a car so therefor it is true. Another form of language is directive. Directive language is used to direct. I am a lead at the DC on campus so when I am in work mode I am constantly directing people and telling them what to do. Expressive language is a form that everyone uses.  Thus form is used to communicate with feelings. Persuading someone to do something or think a certain way is used with expressive language. Overall, language is used for many things and the way we say and do things is all a result of how we use our language. 

Chapter 3 Question 2

After reading this section on chapter 3, I was rather shocked at how much I use rhetorical devices. Rhetorical devices are basically a form of persuasion that does not use reason. One form of a rhetorical device is sarcasm. I believe everyone uses this almost every day. One day at work, I had an opening shift and I had been working for almost 6 hours at that point and a co-worker that had just clocked in asked me if I was tired. I replied saying no I’m not; I just opened at 5:30 am. Sarcasm is the use of ridicule, insults, taunting or irony. This example I used was irony.  Another form of a rhetorical device is lying. Lying is a deliberate attempt to mislead without the prior consent of the target. I believe lying is a negative thing, but sometimes it can be to save people. For example, yesterday I was working and my boss asked if opening in the mornings were too much for me. In my mind, I wanted to ask for less hours, but I lied and said no it was not, because 2 people had quit and she needed workers until new employees got hired. 

Chapter 3 Question 1

The whole saying “Thinking Outside the Box” was a perfect title for this reading. Ride is the definition of what a critical thinker is.  Being able to double-major in two very different subjects is impressive alone. Her ability and love for solving problems is what makes critical thinking possible. Looking back at the characteristics of a good critical thinker; she defines it. She is able to analyze and handle NASA’s first and second shuttle. Being one of the 25 out of 8000 applicants is quite impressive. She defines what a good communicator is supposed to be. She spoke for the United Nations and held a report for NASA. She is able to do research, since working for NASA requires loads of research.  On top of all that she has done, she was still able to write several children’s books. Overall, critical thinking requires a lot and she is the definition of what a critical thinker should be.