Making your mind matter : strategies for increasing practical intelligence / Vincent Ryan Ruggiero.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ruggiero, Vincent Ryan.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Intellect.

Physical Description:

xxii, 119 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield, [2003]

Contents:

Introduction: The Neglect of the Mind xiii

The Influence of Positivism xv

The Influence of Romanticism xvii

The Challenge to You xxi

1 Understanding Thinking 1

Basic Axioms of Thinking 3

Axiom 1 Truth Is Objective rather than Subjective, and Discovered rather than Created 4

Axiom 2 If Two Statements Are Mutually Contradictory, One Must Be False 5

Axiom 3 The Human Mind Is Fallible 6

Axiom 4 Ideas Have Consequences 8

The Dimensions of Thinking 9

The Reflective Dimension 9

The Creative Dimension 11

The Critical Dimension 14

The WISE Approach to Thinking 15

2 Overcoming Obstacles 17

The Basic Problem: Egocentrism 17

Mine-Is-Better Perspective 18

Self-Serving Bias 19

Inflated Self-Esteem 19

Face Saving 20

Other Habits That Obstruct Thought 21

Mental Sloth 21

Gullibility/Conformity 22

Bias for the Majority or Minority 23

Bias for or against Change 23

Preconceptions 24

Reliance on Feelings and First Impressions 24

Attitudes That Obstruct Thought 26

"I Already Know Everything Worth Knowing" 26

"To Challenge My Ideas Is to Disrespect Me" 27

"Some Subjects Are Interesting, Others Are Boring" 28

"Rules and Procedures Don't Apply to Me" 28

Becoming Your Own Critic 29

3 Resisting Manipulation 31

Major Contemporary Influences 32

Advertising 32

Television and Movies 33

Journalism 35

Political Discourse 37

Notable Devices of Manipulation 37

Repetition 38

Bandwagon 38

Glittering Generality 38

Empty Comparison 39

Slogans 39

Testimonial 40

Transfer 40

Stacking the Deck 40

Selective Reporting of Facts 41

Demonizing People 42

Rumors and Hoaxes 43

Resisting Manipulation 43

Know Your Vulnerabilities 44

Corroborate Information 44

Get Both Sides of the Story 44

Talk Back to the TV 45

Read the Fine Print in Advertisements 46

Continue Using the WISE Approach 47

4 Testing Ideas 49

Facts versus Statements of Fact 49

Two Kinds of Opinion 50

The Value of Expert Opinion 51

Testing Statements of Fact 52

Testing Opinions 53

Assess the Author's Evidence 53

Search for Contrary Evidence 54

Consider Relevant Situations 54

Think of Exceptions 55

Consider Implications 55

Consider Alternative Opinions 55

Consider the Consequences 56

Play "Devil's Advocate" 56

Be Prepared for Complexity 57

5 Recognizing Errors in Reasoning 59

Unwarranted Assumption 60

Hasty Conclusion 61

Overgeneralization 62

Oversimplification 63

False Analogy 64

False Cause 65

Double Standard 65

Failure to Make Distinctions 66

Either/Or Thinking 67

Straw Man 68

Contradiction 68

Errors Can Multiply 70

6 Analyzing Arguments 71

Hidden Premises 73

Complex Arguments 74

Types of Evidence 75

How Much Evidence Is Enough? 79

Analyzing Complex Arguments 81

Determine the Argument's Structure 81

Check for Hidden Premises 81

Summarize the Argument 81

Ask Appropriate Questions 82

Evaluate the Argument 83

7 Making Ethical Judgments 85

The "Ought" Controversy 86

The Case for "Ought" 87

Objective Morality 91

Respect for Persons 92

Criteria for Ethical Judgment 93

Obligations 93

Ethical Ideals 94

Consequences 95

A Strategy for Moral Judgment 95

Decide What Obligations Are Present 95

Decide What Moral Ideals Are Relevant 95

Where Conflicts Exist, Assign Priorities 96

Identify Possible Actions and Their Consequences 96

Decide Which Action Is Most Moral 96

Applying the Strategy 97

Appendix Making Discussion Meaningful 99

Whenever Possible, Prepare in Advance 100

Set Reasonable Expectations 100

Leave Egotism and Personal Agendas at the Door 100

Contribute but Don't Dominate 101

Avoid Distracting Speech Mannerisms 101

Listen Actively 101

Judge Ideas Responsibly 102

Resist the Urge to Shout or Interrupt 102.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 103-111) and index.

ISBN:

0742514625

0742514633

OCLC:

52091923