Crtitical Thinking And Language Essay

Critical Thinking and Language
By
Lawana Marcas
PHL 251
Facilitator DR. Belinda Moses
Individual Assignment Week 2
Due Aug 25, 2008
Submitted Aug 25, 2008
Critical Thinking and Language
Part 2.
What role does language and language diversity play in the critical thinking process?
Language and language diversity play a significant role in critical thinking and its processes. Language is the main device we use as humans to communicate through symbols what we think, experience or feel. Language diversity is important to critical thinking because if language is the way we communicate and if we know other culture, forein, slang and sign language; we could process the messages with a great understanding, therefore have a more adapt answer on solving the problem. However, many factors influence language and, therefore, our thinking. The different ideas we hold come to us from four main sources, according to Elder and Paul (2002): 1) Our personal experience, 2) Our socialization, 3) Academic subjects we study; and, 4) Our native language, (34). While our language is the vehicle through which we communicate ideas, think, and interpret, our language is subject to many influences that make us vulnerable to uncritical thinking. For example, our socialization, national identity, and cultural ideology can make us prone to self-deception.
How does language empower or limit the expression of our thoughts?
Language can empower or thoughts if we take the information that is given to us and research the vitality of the information and if we can comprehend what is being thought us and use it in a proper and apporiate manner. It is important for us to be clear in our use of language. Words have different meanings based on the different contexts in which they are used. Words are important to insure clear critical thinking skills. Words change in meaning over time. Having a good knowledge of words (verbiage) and their definitions insure success in...