Phi110A | Philosophy | Critical Assessment Answers

For Part I of the assignment, you read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes, reviewed the Procon.org Website in order to gather information, and engaged in prewriting to examine your thoughts.

In Part II of the assignment, you will write a paper to synthesize your ideas.
Part II – Writing
Write a paper in which you:
1. State your position on the topic you selected.
2. Identify (3) three premises (reasons) from the Procon.org website that support your position and explain why you selected these specific reasons.
3. Explain your answers to the “believing” questions about the three (3) premises opposing your position from the Procon.org website.
4. Examine at least two (2) types of biases that you likely experienced as you evaluated the premises for and against your position.   
5. Discuss the effects of your own enculturation or group identification that may have influenced your biases.
6. Discuss whether or not your thinking about the topic has changed after playing the “Believing Game,” even if your position on the issue has stayed the same.

Answer:

Introduction

Philosophy refers to a certain attitude or a theory that influences one’s behavior .Philosophers may hold contradicting ideologies in relation to the same aspect depending on an individual’s attitude and theoretical ideas that he or she is holding  (Struhl, 2010) Therefore, philosophy is a discipline that is more of individual perspective. It the most liberal discipline because it respects every individuals views. Critical thinking therefore refers to the analysis of an aspect subjectively in order to make a judgement .Critical thinking may therefore be achieved through the analysis of different aspect of life, read  publications and apply the art of critical thinking on it either to support the published views or contradict with the same. In this paper, my text of choice for the assignment is ‘abortion’ as a topic. The following is a critical analysis of an already published information in regard to abortion.

Discussion

Part A

My discussion is based on an excerpt from Roe v Wade .According to the material on abortion; the author explains it in details using different approaches and perspectives on abortion. These perspectives   and medical perspectives. In the material, abortion is presented in a way that portrays more of its positive side than the adverse effects. In fact, in the book, the author dismisses any negative condition or results in regard to abortion. The author touches all aspects in regards to abortion from its types ,methods used ,safety and factors that influence abortion .According to my thinking, the author of this particular material has tried to discuss argumentatively on issues regarding abortion however, some issues such as its adverse effects has not been discussed (Facione & Facione, 2013) This is because, according to my analysis, abortion is a common trend among the young people who are tried to run away from the fact of unwanted pregnancies and most of them end up carrying out the process in an unsafe and unprofessional manner. Therefore I think such vital information should be included.

PART B

1. My position on the topic of discussion

Abortion according to me only becomes a good process if it is done based on health complications and conducted in a safe manner by trained professionals to avoid the complications that arise after carrying it out.

2. Three reasons to support my position from the text

First, is the explanation on the abortion safety. This states that the only safe way to carry out a safe abortion is by the involvement of trained expertise who have knowledge on abortion and can conduct it safely. This supports my view that dismisses any other forms of abortions carried out by untrained personnel which puts life at risk

The second aspect is the discussion of the abortion that is carried out based on some health problems such as cancer disease and ectopic pregnancy. Under these circumstances, the hospital recommends for an intended termination of pregnancy in order to save the life of an endangered mother. This supports my view that abortion should only be done if the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother (Hiner, 2013)

Thirdly, discussion on religion against abortion supports my position against unnecessary abortion.

3. Answers opposing my position

One is the permission guaranteed on every form of abortion opposing mine that is only limited to health complications

The second aspect is the extent to which the text supports abortion carried out by anyone as long as it is safe opposing my idea of sticking the exercise being carried out only by a trained doctor.

Lastly, is the fact that text does not oppose abortion on the basis of religion by any means . It opposes my idea that abortion is wrong according to the religion (Adetoun & Adesola, 2011)

4. Biasness experienced

I found the text to be biased in that it stresses too much on the positive side of abortion without revealing its adverse effects yet the reality is that such effects exist

Lack of cultural relativism. The text portrays more of ethnocentrism whereby it talks from the perspective of someone whose in his or her country the act is legalized not considering those countries where abortion is illegal.

5. Personal factors for the biasness

I might have felt that the text is biased first because of my religion. According to the biblical teachings, no text in the Bible supports abortion. God views it as an act against life hence it is prohibited in a Christian-oriented faith (Greenhouse & Siegel, 2012).

The second factor is lack of exposure to a culture that supports abortion. I was brought up in a culture where abortion is associated with immorality and stigmatization.

6. My status after reading the text

My position has changed to some degree on my view on abortion because I have now expanded my knowledge and facts regarding abortion (LI, 2011).

Conclusion

Thinking in human being is a very critical tool that enables one to make judgements related to different aspects of life. However, thinking can be influenced and changed depending on the degree of persuasion and conviction.

References

Adetoun, A., & Adesola, A. (2011). Types of Abortion Committed and Physical Complications as Correlate of Psychological Stress of Abortion among Female University Undergraduates in South-West Nigeria. Literacy Information And Computer Education Journal, 2(2), 350-355. https://dx.doi.org/10.20533/licej.2040.2589.2011.0048

Facione, P., & Facione, N. (2013). Critical Thinking for Life. Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across The Disciplines, 28(1), 5-25. https://dx.doi.org/10.5840/inquiryct20132812

Hiner, A. (2013). Critical Thinking in the Literature Classroom, Part I: Making Critical Thinking Visible. Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across The Disciplines, 28(1), 26-35. https://dx.doi.org/10.5840/inquiryct20132813

Struhl, K. (2010). No (More) Philosophy Without Cross-Cultural Philosophy. Philosophy Compass,5(4), 287-295. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-9991.2010.00291.x