Friday, January 31, 2020

Thinking and Decision Making Essay Example for Free

Thinking and Decision Making Essay The following are the three different styles of thinking that would be discussed in this paper a) Pragmatists, b) Synthesists and c) Realists. Pragmatists: People possessing this thinking style are practical thinkers. They do not believe in making long-term plans or setting long term goals. Rather they set small goals to be accomplished in a short phase of time. So their penchant for quick results means they divide the long-term goals in different parts and accomplish them one by one, which gives them a sense of achievement from time to time. They are very quick at acknowledging others’ ideas and possess a good sense of humor. They consider conflicts as a means of understanding other people’s viewpoint and make maximum use of it by brainstorming and experimenting its impact. Since they try to make use of every situation, good or bad they are very creative in nature. They easily adopt any strategy that suits the situation or has the potential for success or further growth. They are innovative and pay attention to minute details as they think that every minute step or detail play a significant part in the larger picture. They have the zeal and stamina of accomplishing their goals, come what may and also have the potential to make others believe that what they are doing is right. This style of thinking is what makes one a leader. They convince everyone about their vision by moulding the same idea in different ways so that it looks convincing enough to everyone. They plan the risks beforehand so there is little chance of them not being able to handle a crisis situation. Synthesists: The people belonging to this style of thinking love arguments and conflicts. They do not have the patience to wait for the conflict to get fully blown up. So they try to trigger up the trouble so that the problem gets solved as soon as possible rather than waiting for it to gradually come in full force. Even when there is not much conflict or commotion in a particular situation, they find one point or the other to be satirically amused or skeptical. In conflict situation they observe both the sides of the argument and come up with a new angle or idea. Hence this style of thinking helps in building good observation skills and fuelling creativity. Synthesists want to grasp all that is going in a person’s mind. They are smart enough to understand but still in order to let the person open up, they start a debate then quietly observe his feelings. They love to ruffle up hidden reactions. People possessing this style of thinking don’t set aside others’ ideas. Rather analyze different viewpoints to understand a situation well. Synthesists style of thinking makes a person good at speculation. They have the ability to brainstorm and come to different solutions or reactions of a situation, which can be termed a creative activity. So nothing surprises them much, because their minds are engaged in so much of speculation that nothing is unexpected for them. Realists: The people possessing this type of thinking style are ‘no-nonsense’ kind of people. They are frank, forceful and direct. Instead of relying on others’ point of view, they rely on themselves the most to discover things. They are always engaged in empirical discoveries and love concrete facts. In order to handle a crisis or conflict situation they ask straight questions. They always know where they are heading because they have a set objective, know what resources they have at hand and have the capability of analyzing how those resources could be used in the best possible way. They very well know their strong and weak points and do not hesitate to take outside help in areas where they are not capable enough. They break a problem into several logical parts and then solve them one by one. They calmly handle situations but can get aggressive if someone or something is very ambiguous or unrealistic. If the three styles of thinking are compared and contrasted then it is quite evident that the three of them overlap in certain areas while are poles apart in others. Both pragmatists and synthesist’s believe in quick solutions. Both these styles of thinking facilitate creativity. Goodbrand had described pragmatists in the following way: â€Å"they dont shy away from conflict but neither do they relish it like the synthesist.† (para.24) This aptly brings out the contrast between the two.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Like realists, pragmatists have a definite goal and they too break the task into small targets and try to accomplish them systematically. Both the styles of thinking believe in acknowledging any outside idea that has been used in the process of thinking.   Both these styles of thinking oozes confidence and strong will power. While people of pragmatist style of thinking are good tacticians and find one or the other way to get a task done, the realistic styles of thinkers are very frank and straightforward. It is difficult for them to use any tactics rather; they propagate the ‘matter of fact’ aspect of getting a task done.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The following qualities are common in both realist and synthesist style of thinking: â€Å"Understanding that people see situations from their own perspective and that all perspectives have their own viewpoints and that as much can be learned from looking at a situation from another viewpoint as can be learned from looking at it through your own eyes.† (Goodbrand, para15) However, where synthesists believe in speculation, realists believe in matter of fact and empirical evidence. Also, in order to get other’s point of view or a hidden fact synthesists might ask ambiguous or dumb-smart questions. The realists abhor ambiguity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Since critical thinking means dividing information into categories and sub categories, realist and pragmatist style of thinking affect critical thinking because both these styles of thinking focus on this format of problem solving or target achievement. Since one of the steps of critical thinking is synthesis, synthesist style of thinking naturally has an affect on it too.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the workplace scenario the process of decision-making involves the following three steps: a) intelligence, b) design and c) choice. According To Rue and Byars (1992, p.52) â€Å"The intelligence stage involves searching the environment for conditions requiring a decision. The design stage entails inventing, developing and analyzing possible courses of action. Choice, the final stage, refers to the actual selection of a course of action.† The different stages of critical thinking overlap with the decision making process. In workplace conflict the motive of both decision-making and critical thinking is to bring an end to the problem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The three styles of thinking discussed in this paper can be explained in the context of critical thinking and decision making by the help of the following workplace example: An organization’s, departmental head is under pressure by the conflict between his two colleagues. He wants to bring this conflict to an end because it affects the work of the whole department. Now we assume that he has the pragmatist style of thinking, he would use tactics to end the problem. He would try to speak to both the subordinates separately and try to mould them to come to a common viewpoint and settle their conflicts. He would find out who of the two is less rigid and try to convince him that if he behaves more rationally then the whole department would benefit. He will not try to jump in the problem but wait for the right time to confront both of them together. On the other hand if he has the synthesist style of thinking he would not wait for the problem to aggravate further. Rather he would try to coax them to speak up their mind and let them argue. He would consider this argument as an opportunity to observe both the sides of the story. Then he would critically analyze the whole situation and decide their further course of action. If the departmental head thinks from a realistic angle he would ask both the parties to have a meeting with him and would fire straight questions to them to get the entire reason of the conflict. Then on the basis of the concrete fact he would try to come to a decision in the best possible way and calmly sort out the problem between the subordinates by dealing with each aspect of their problem one at a time. References Rue, L.W., Byars, L.L. (6 Ed.). (1992). Management Skills And Application. USA: IRWIN. Goodbrand, A.D. (1997) The Art of Thinking. Retrieved Jun. 28, 2007 from http://sern.ucalgary.ca/courses   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   /seng/698/alang/minor.html Wikipedia. (2007) Critical thinking. Retrieved Jun. 28, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thinking

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason Essay -- Shiloh Bobbie Ann Mason Essays

Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason Character Sketch   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Bobbie Ann Mason’s story â€Å"Shiloh† she presents the character of Norma Jean as having a strong personality but an emptiness deep within. Norma Jean is presented as a strong character on the outside in the opening of the story. â€Å"She lifts three-pound dumbbells to warm-up, the progresses to a twenty-pound barbell.†(Mason p. 46). However as the story progresses she exhibits the emptiness which she feels. â€Å"One day Leroy arrives home from a drive and finds Norma Jean in tears.† (Mason p. 50). Norma Jean feels an emptiness toward her deceased child, her husband, and also her mother. Her emptiness toward her husband may be seen in the way she interacts with him. She feels very uncomfortable when she is around him. Norma Jean is always trying to find something for him to do. When he arrived back home Mason states the â€Å"she seems a little disappointed.† (Mason p. 47). The emptiness she feels toward her mother is presented in the feelings she has toward her. Her deceased son symbolizes her emptiness because of his death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning of the story Norma Jean tries to conceal the emptiness that she has felt for so many years. Mason first presents her as a strong character by explaining how she works out and would like to become stronger. She may become stronger physically, but nothing can overcome the emptiness which she feels. Norma Jean tries to help her husband get a job, and she gives him a variety...

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Contrast and Similarities Between Digital and Film Cameras Essay

Nowadays camera is very essential technology in our everyday life. But once upon a time, camera was very rare. Somebody had to go to studio to take his/her photo. This technology was also so complicated at that time. All cameras were either huge in size or immobile. But now we find camera everywhere. Presently, we can not think of any mobile phones or laptops without build-in camera. All classical cameras were film cameras and now we hardly find them. Through improvement of technology, almost all cameras are being digitalized. With this change, digital camers look very different from the films. The main difference between digital and film camera is the storage option. In film cameras, captured photos are stored in the film itself whereas photos are stored in a memory card in digital cameras. Digital cameras has an image sensor . This sensor helps take and store photos. This sensor is absent in film cameras. If the film is exposed once it can not be used again in film cameras. Memory card is re-usable Photos stored in memory card can be erased and then it again be re-usable. Film has to develop by using different kinds of chemicals in film cameras while we can see photos instantly either on the computers or in digital camera. A darkroom is required to develop photos captured in film cameras and this process is complicated. This process is much easier if photos captured in digital cameras. We can easily print digital photos from computer. Digital cameras require more power than film cameras. Generally rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries are used in digital and film cameras respectively. Film cameras response quickly. Its takes less time than digital cameras to focus. The fraction time between to focus is also less in film cameras. Now let’s discuss about photo quality between digital and film cameras. Photo quality is depends on equipment in digital cameras whether film cameras has no variation. All film cameras are same. They provide same quality photos. But in digital cameras photo quality depends on megapixel, sensor and on many other things. Today in market , we found 1 to 50 or more mega pixels digital camera. Digital cameras can be many types, such as DSLR, SLR etc. Film cameras is only one type. Lens and scale is also a great difference between film and digital cameras. Professional photographers are demand high quality cameras that why there first choice is digital camera. The other most important contrast between digital and film camera is tonal range. Tonal range is number of grades of light to dark in photo. Digital cameras are limited to 256 grades whereas film cameras have unlimited grades. Film cameras are ahead in tonal range. So they can produce limitless grades of light to dark. More apparently, film cameras can capture all dark view, not matter how mild it is. On the other hand, digital cameras produce bright view instead of mild darkness. We already know that, in digital camera photo quality depends on megapixel. So here is a question about its work, and also how grains work in film cameras. More mega pixel produces more sharp photos. Grains also do the same thing in film cameras. Brightness, hue, value, saturation etc are also same in digital and film cameras. Both has required lens, both has same shape, both can produce monochromic and color photos. In film cameras, grains speed depends on speed of the film whereas megapixel can be troubleshoot from menu. More people choose slower film camera. A slower film camera is equal to 8 megapixel camera. Both in film and digital cameras megapixel alone can’t sharp photo quality. Some special effect and zoom etc can changeable in digital cameras while film camera does not has those option. Aparture is almost same in both type of cameras whereas shutter is same. Size of photo can’t vary and lens is obvious equipment of both cameras. In conclusion, we can say both cameras are important. Because the importance of cameras are vary from person to person, profession to profession. Professional photographers generally choose digital cameras and again sometimes they need film cameras for specific reason. Both film and digital cameras has lots of fan. It just like CD and cassette, both are important.

Monday, January 6, 2020

Essay on Aristotle and the Doctrine of the Mean - 2044 Words

Aristotle’s Doctrine of the Mean and the Problem of Self-Control Introduction Aristotle’s Nicomahean Ethics is a rich text of ancient wisdom, much of which has become ingrained into today’s rhetoric in many schools of thought in the western world. It is with Aristotle’s views on Virtue that this paper is primarily concerned, more specifically with his idea that to have virtue is to display attitudes and actions to a moderate and intermediate degree. Stan Van Hooft (2008) notes that, although Aristotle’s thoughts on this matter are logically sound for the most part, that his assertion that Virtue is the Mean was not his final, conclusive stance on the issue, and that this theory â€Å"is only a part of a bigger picture of virtue that he is†¦show more content†¦On the other hand, one may decide that the risk may not be worth the outcome, and exercise caution and vigilance. It is in this way that the Mean, in relating to the moral virtues, shifts and changes according to the variables of any given human being and the situa tion one finds oneself in. Does this idea hold true? Aristotle himself saw exception to his own theory. Primarily he saw that there were some actions which were not on the continuum between deficiency and excess at all. Aristotle, in Book II of his Nicomachean Ethics, says that not all actions and feelings have a mean at which to aim, â€Å"because some have names that directly connote depravity, such as malice, shamelessness and envy, and among actions adultery, theft and murder†, and as far as he is concerned these are evil in and of themselves, and not categorically defined by any excess or deficiency (Book II, iv, 1107a 9-15). In displaying these actions or feelings, says Aristotle, one is always wrong, and this is unequivocally non-circumstantial. It would be interesting at this point to open up some discussion around Aristotle’s theories on free will and responsibility. Namely, if one is forced, circumstantially or otherwise, into performing an action that is deemed non-virtuous (choo sing between the lives of two people, for example), how would AristotleShow MoreRelated Aristotle and the Doctrine of the Mean Essay1436 Words   |  6 PagesAristotle and the Doctrine of the Mean Aristotle seeks flourishing happiness in life. He believes that this can be achieved for each individual through the embracement of virtues. Aristotle believes that virtues are the mean of two vices. This is the basis of the Aristotelian â€Å"Doctrine of the Mean†. This paper will explore the basis of the Doctrine of the Mean, its connections to Eudaimonia, and its success or lack thereof. Eudaimonia is a Greek word whose meaningRead MoreAristotle s Doctrine Of The Mean1344 Words   |  6 Pagesa question today. 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