Open Minds and Everyday Reasoning
In this book, Seech argues that people should analyze their thoughts with open minds as well as everyday reasoning. Through this that is by having open minds ones arguments are based on clear thoughts. This means that everything that people put across can be based on some facts and further can be supported in some way. This way, reasoning is incorporated in everyday activities of human beings. Human beings have got different thinking capacities and levels of putting across their thoughts and arguments. Therefore, having an open mind helps one understand this. It is by understanding that everyday activities are performed well and also ensuring that that there is a peaceful coexistence among human beings. This is important in reducing misunderstandings and conflicts.
The book “Open minds and everyday reasoning” also argues that people should ask themselves questions like if their reasoning is good. This is essential in making of decisions. This then can be viewed as a text of philosophy that prepares people for decision making and especially making of hard life decisions. By asking oneself if their reasoning is good, people are able to make decisions that would have otherwise not been possible. Thus, this is a text that helps in critical and creative thinking. It is decision making that is based on reason but not assumptions.
Having an open mind is one of the basic objectives of education and this is supposed to prepare people for their future lives. Thus it enables people to learn on how to handle different situations. This is so because it is only through thinking openly and creatively that one is able to make the best choices in life even though they may seem difficult to. The world that people live in is constantly changing. Therefore, it is by being open minded that people can prevent that habit of not being able to understand that earlier held ideas and beliefs have to be changed or discarded.
Having an open mind helps in discussion and gaining an understanding of the world, society and people around them. For instance, Brooks (2011) using the arguments of Seech cites that he has learned that there are great people within the city. These are the little things that people may overlook but have a great impact on the society and the entire world. Open mindedness also helps one to understand that they do not exist in isolation and thus need others whether it is to offer their ideas or any other kind of help. People will make decisions and choose between the right and wrong. Thus everyday reasoning suppresses the human passions.
Thus, according to Seech (2004) ideas should be given consideration and thus, the person who has an open mind is able to reject an idea if that idea can not stand to be critically appraised. This then ensures that trust as well as mutual respect exists between people and thus allowing them to stand the challenges that are associated with the views that they hold. This is the appreciation that Brooks (2011) writes in his piece. It is brought about by not overlooking other people and understanding that ones ideas and opinions may not always be the best. Thereby, open mindedness can be viewed as a virtue of intellect that entails the willingness to consider argument and evidence when forming or even revising ones values and beliefs. Everyday reasoning and open mind enables people to rethink even after making opinions and thus follow the argument.
References
Brooks, D. (2011). The New Humanism. Retrieved on April 25, 2011 from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/opinion/08brooks.html.
Seech, Z. (2004). Open minds and everyday reasoning. 2nd Ed. Thomson/Wadsworth publishers.
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