http://clevermsbennet.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] clevermsbennet.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2009-10-29 12:35 pm
Entry tags:

Logic, Reason and Critical Thinking, Class 8: Period 4, Thursday, October 29

"Today," Miss Bennet announced, "we are going to discuss decision-making. All of you are quite familiar with decision making, in general; for example, you had to decide whether you would come to class today, or stay home and watch television. I can't tell you how pleased I am, to have won that particular battle." She did, in fact, look bemused at that point.

"Learning to think rationally about decisions is an important part of critical thinking. We make decisions every day, but often they are inspired by whim, or based on reasoning which is unsound. If we hope to think logically about the world around us, we must confront decisions methodically, and not haphazardly. To start, we define the problem. What are its boundaries? Then, we explore alternatives. How can we solve this problem? What will be the consequences of each method we might use? Finally, we weigh our options and select one.

"Reaching back to our earlier example, I thoroughly doubt it was my scintillating wit or your passion for knowledge which drove you to come here, today. Perhaps there were students you wished to speak to, after class, so you chose to attend class in order to further a more interesting goal. Perhaps you knew from experience there's nothing on those televisions on Thursday afternoons, and you felt a greater opportunity for entertainment here. Perhaps you worried about receiving detention, if you failed to come to class without a valid excuse; fear is a powerful motivator. Or perhaps you bargained with yourself: come to class, fulfill your obligations, and you will permit yourself all the leisure time you would like tonight.

Miss Bennet went to the chalkboard, abruptly, and began writing. "There are as many ways to make decisions as there are reasons for the decisions themselves," she said. "One might form a list, of what are commonly called 'pros' and 'cons.' One might mathematically calculate the risk versus reward, of each particular strategem. One might seek counsel from a trusted advisor or friend. One might, for that matter, flip a coin. Naturally, some methods are more advantageous than others."

The chalkboard now read

DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES
1) Pros/cons
2) Risk-reward
3) Seek advice
4) Flip coin

"I would like to introduce you to a method many people have found to be useful. It is known as brainstorming, though I confess I dislike the name. Brainstorming is a useful way to find alternatives, when presented with difficulty. The rules are simple; any and all suggestions are valid, and are written down without criticism. Many times, we eliminate options for fear of sounding ridiculous. There are no such boundaries, today. Suggest any method you can imagine, by which someone might make a decision. Your ideas will in turn spark ideas from others. An idea which you consider laughable might, with small adjustments, become entirely plausible. And your bravery in speaking up will encourage your classmates to do the same.

"Once we have a fair list, we will discuss the benefits and limitations of each, and determine the situations where each might be helpful, or less than so. Shall we begin?"
future_sandworm: (Default)

Re: Sign In [LOG-8]

[personal profile] future_sandworm 2009-10-29 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Leto Atreides
furnaceface: (Crossed Arms)

Re: Sign In [LOG-8]

[personal profile] furnaceface 2009-10-29 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Jonothon Starsmore

Re: Sign In [LOG-8]

[personal profile] eyebrowgoesup - 2009-10-30 02:07 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Sign In [LOG-8]

[personal profile] not_tylerdurden - 2009-10-30 03:16 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Sign In [LOG-8]

[personal profile] officetightass - 2009-10-30 06:03 (UTC) - Expand
future_sandworm: (Default)

Re: Brainstorming [LOG-8]

[personal profile] future_sandworm 2009-10-29 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Consulting a mentat," Leto suggested. Not that it was something that would be possible here, but it was one of the option he would have at home. "Or, if you prefer, consulting an oracle."
future_sandworm: (serious)

Re: Brainstorming [LOG-8]

[personal profile] future_sandworm 2009-10-29 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mentats and oracles are not te same thing," Leto replied hastily. "They are two different suggestions. A mentat is a person trained to keep in memory huge amounts of information and to process complex data. We don't rely on Thinking Machines."

Re: Brainstorming [LOG-8]

[identity profile] guardianborn.livejournal.com 2009-10-29 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Do what seems best," Rose said offhandedly. "If you don't die, it was a good decision."

She'd apparently used up her thinking for the day already.

Re: Brainstorming [LOG-8]

[identity profile] once-a-traitor.livejournal.com 2009-10-30 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Why yes, there was a horse nodding at Rose's suggestion. A wee horse, but a horse nonetheless. The whiteboard hung around his neck gave away who he was, since it had his name on it and writing underneath that said 'I'm a horse. Sorry.'
Edited 2009-10-30 01:21 (UTC)

Re: Brainstorming [LOG-8]

[identity profile] guardianborn.livejournal.com 2009-10-30 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Rose had missed fencing on Monday and so hadn't had the wonderful chance to see horsey Edward yet.

She was so glad to see him here. "You look absolutely adorable like that," she whispered, leaning over to make sure he heard her.

Re: Brainstorming [LOG-8]

[identity profile] guardianborn.livejournal.com 2009-10-30 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
"The death of the person I'm guarding?" Rose clarified. "Totally. That's all that matters."
future_sandworm: (Default)

Re: Speak to Miss Bennet [LOG-8]

[personal profile] future_sandworm 2009-10-29 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"So, is pig-racing often used where you're from?" Leto had to ask. For all he knew, it might be.
future_sandworm: (smile again)

Re: Speak to Miss Bennet [LOG-8]

[personal profile] future_sandworm 2009-10-29 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
He smiled back. "Perhaps. Although the Romans were known to rely on the information gained from studying the entrails of animals."

Re: Speak to Miss Bennet [LOG-8]

[identity profile] once-a-traitor.livejournal.com 2009-10-30 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
Edmund, still a pony, approached Miss Bennet with a small whiteboard hung around his neck. It had his name at the top and then said underneath 'I'm a horse. Sorry.'

Re: Speak to Miss Bennet [LOG-8]

[identity profile] once-a-traitor.livejournal.com 2009-10-30 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
He raised his head to reveal his name at the top of the whiteboard, which his drooping neck had concealed. He felt a sudden need to apologise for his atrocious penmanship.
eyebrowgoesup: (logic give me strength)

Re: Speak to the TAs [LOG-8]

[personal profile] eyebrowgoesup 2009-10-30 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
Spock was, indeed, present today.