After beginning with a definition of critical thinking, just to be sure we are on the same page, I like to follow up with a discussion of ethics. I believe we all think and live out of an ethical perspective or frame of reference, whether we name it or not. For most of us those values are subconscious, having been shaped by life's experiences or what Aristotle would call "accidents." These include the circumstances of our birth (ethnicity, geography, time, etc.). Compound that with experiences and institutions we have been part of, and voila! we live our daily lives assuming our set of rights and wrongs.
At this stage I attempt to help students "name" their values and wrestle with the consequences thereof. I share a long list, by no means exhaustive, of historically developed, identified, and debated ethical systems. I strive to be inclusive and introduce broad, culturally representative systems. To be honest, the labels will be recognized by their western names, but by any other name, ethics are universal. As a matter of fact, I preface the section with Huston Smith's seven values that all religions around the world hold in common: do not lie, do not steal, do not murder, do not break the sexual mores of your culture, be charitable, practice veracity, and be humble.
The list of systems includes: Utilitarianism, Libertarian, Revelation, Golden Rule, Hedonism, Corporate Recognition, Categorical Imperative, Intuition, Means to Ends, Proportionality Principle, Might Equals Right, etc. I strive diligently to remain neutral and enable them to engage in honest, objective introspection. After years of study and teaching, I am convinced that ethical values fall into one of two camps. MLK Jr. summed it up perfectly. At some point, a person must choose between constructive altruism and destructive selfishness. All of history's Wisdom Teachers have given us the guidance for living with one another. Kierkegaard challenged us with the claim that EVERY decision is a moral decision.
How will you live the one precious gift of life you have been given?
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