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Thinking I am Clever
Thinking I am Clever
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Thinking I am Clever
It was not a normal day for me at work. With upcoming deadlines to meet, my head started throbbing, and I was feeling overwhelmed with confusion, nervousness, and anxiety. I was trying to figure out how I would get all my work done in so little time. I sat in the office, staring at the computer, thinking. Suddenly a bulb went off in my head. Why am I so worked up about a paper that is due? Besides, I work at a substance abuse facility filled with liars. After all, they lie to me daily.
After reading a piece by Stephanie Ericsson called the ways we lie, she pointed out many forms of lies we tell without even noticing. Trying to be clever, I decided to deceive one of my patients so I could get content for my paper. It is not a big deal! How would he know? With a big grin on my face, I got up, opened the door, and beckoned to one of my patients called John the Baptist. Funny Right? Putting a religious word in the same sentence as a lie.
Hey John, how are you doing today? Do you have a minute to chat with me a little? The excitement on John’s face was refreshing to me. Although, I knew John would use this opportunity as an excuse not to attend his group meeting. I asked John how did substance abuse affect his family? He said, “It usually starts with a secret that leads to lies, not knowing how it would affect others.’ John informed me that he would lie to get high until cocaine became his priority.
The lies and substance abuse played with my moral compass, where I lied and cheated. I remember one instance where I told my wife I was going to the mechanic because my car had broken down and that I had to spend the entire night at the mechanic shop. However, I was a crack house with a Jezebel. I did not even know from a can of paint slumped between my crotches.
Lies are insignificant because you use one lie to cover another. By the time you notice, you keep on lying. For me, it comes naturally; I no longer know when I am telling the truth. I could not lie anymore. My body started to tell tales…tales of deceit, tales of lies, tales of the truth.
Lies are not good!
Thinkers Guid
Thinkers Guide
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Thinkers Guide
Part I
I was not sure that the Thinkers Guide text would be such impactful to me. After a careful exploration of its well-arranged text, I was significantly enlightened and educated specifically on developing ethical abilities to create an ethical world. I was introduced to understanding the intellectual tools appropriate for reasoning through ethical problems and issues in a more insightful manner. I made sure that I covered every topic and subtopic of the text to ensure I did not miss anything. After reading the Thinkers Guide text, I acquired the ethical reasoning foundations. Generally, in the Thinker’s Guide text, I found numerous ideas exciting and helpful, especially in my profession; however, some were unhelpful and disagreeing.
Interesting, Helpful, Likable Points or Ideas
I found various points helpful after reading the Thinker’s Guide text. For example, I now see ethics as a specific domain by itself—I previously confused ethics with acting according to the law, religious beliefs, and conventions. After exploring the Thinker’s Guide text, I agreed and understood that ethics are principles and concepts that guide all people. For instance, through ethics, I can be able to determine the behaviours that are helpful such as showing love and care in social work. Also, I found it interesting that we all use shared ethical principles and concepts as guides in reasoning, particularly through usual ethical issues such as dealing with unethical leadership in social work. I agree that we have an essential responsibility to learn to differentiate between ethics questions, the law, religion, and social conventions (Paul & Elder, 2019). For instance, ethics is entirely different concerning its purpose and foundation. Thus, if we establish skilled, ethical reasoning as the norm, we must cultivate the ability to establish whether all laws, rules, practices, or belief systems are ethical.
Moreover, I find the two functions of ethics helpful, that is, acts enhancing the well-being of other individuals, which results in us being praised, and acts that diminish or harm the well-being of other people warrant our criticism. For example, when we treat other people with care and respect, they praise us, but when we disregard or insult them, we become criticized. Hence, I find it interesting how a person must develop ethical reasoning abilities because there exists a strong tendency towards self-deception, self-justification, prejudice, and egotism (Paul & Elder, 2019). Also, I find ethical reasoning abilities helpful, for example, ethical, affective dimensions such as exercising ethical reciprocity, ethical micro-abilities such as clarifying ethical claims and ideas, and ethical micro-skills such as identifying facts from ethical ideas, values, and principles.
Unhelpful Ideas and Points
Nevertheless, after reading the Thinker’s Guide text, I found some points and ideas unhelpful and disagreeing. These include the significance of perspective and facts; for example, although it is typically appropriate for an individual to analyze data appropriate to a question when prompted with a complex ethical question, I do not find the provision of the significance of perspective and facts in the Thinker’s Guide text helpful in forming my fundamentals of ethical reasoning. Also, I can’t entirely agree with the ideas ethical facts are frequently ignored or distorted by mainstream news. For example, I usually find mainstream news observing desirable traits such as honesty and impartiality when providing news to different viewers and listeners. Thus, the Thinker’s Guide text would not have involved the mainstream news as ignorant of ethical facts. In addition, I found simple ethical questions and complex ethical questions unhelpful in the text. Although they can be argued in multiple ways, I do not see it necessary to discuss types of ethical questions.
Key Takeaways Essential in Future
Additionally, after reading the Thinker’s Guide text, I found some meaningful ideas that I might utilize in future in social work. Some of the ideas and points particularly encouraged me to reflect on knowing myself ethically. This includes ethical reasoning, where after examining ethical reasoning logic in text, I can be able to analyze the logic of any ethical question in my profession, such is it legal? Hence, I can assess and analyze parts of my thinking as I explore the question; this has made me know myself ethically by assessing and analyzing every ethical question I make. Also, ethical reasoning elements and logic encouraged me to reflect on knowing myself ethically (Paul & Elder, 2019). For example, I am to understand that if I have to reason ethically well, I must learn to distinguish and assess my use of ethical reasoning elements such as integrity and passion. Hence, whenever I think, I think with a specific purpose within a viewpoint on the basis of assumptions resulting in consequences and implications.
Some ideas and points contributed to my cultural and ethical competence in my professional practice. For example, the use of theories and ideas to interpret experiences, facts, and data to resolve issues, solve problems, and answer questions; has increased my ethical competence in social work. Also, I have become aware of my own cultural values and beliefs and how they may differ from other individuals’ cultures. I am also able to honour and learn about the varying cultures of those around me. Thus, these have contributed significantly to my cultural competence. In addition, I am now able to recognize my feelings when encountering what is unethical or ethical in certain situations. I can also reflect on these feelings to ensure directing my decisions and ensure acting in ways that result in the highest level of ethics. Therefore, these increased my cultural and ethical competence in my profession.
Part II
Overall Reaction to the Articles
My overall reaction to the article is mixed. For instance, I like how the ethical guide has discussed the issue of mini-reasoning. I have been brought up in a society where ethical reasoning is vital. As a member of society, I have to contribute to decisions affecting the people and the projects undertaken in society. Ethical reasoning guide equips one with the essential knowledge needed during ethical reasoning. The knowledge of ethical reasoning is also evident in today’s lifestyle as every day. I have to reason out what is ethical to be conducted and what is not ethically right.
I agree with the author that the majority of people confuse ethics with living to the standards of society (Paul & Elder 2003). Every society has indeed defined rules, beliefs, religion, and social conventions. However, some of these beliefs and defined rules may not be ethically right in our modern society. For example, our society believes it is right for a woman to remain submissive to her husband. Applying ethical reasoning, this may not be applicable and is not ethically right since both the husband and the wife have equal capabilities and therefore deserve equal rights.
Contribution Of Articles to Thinker’s Guide Text Understanding
I can arguably say that the articles expanded my knowledge of the values and ethics, which strongly focus on understanding the Thinker’s Page 6 of the 10 Guide text. For example, in the article “Rethinking Cultural Competence: What Can We Learn from Levinas?” As a result, I have learned more about cultural competence, which is a critical factor of ethics, as explained in the Thinker’s Guide (Ben-Ari & Strier 2010). Another example is in the article “social work values: The moral core of the profession” where the author emphasizes the importance of professional knowledge on social work mission and values (Bisman 2004). Both articles have expanded my understanding of ethical values and their application to society.
Illustration of Concepts in the Articles in Practice
I live in a society where being morally right is a virtual of humanity. I practice social counseling and give advice to the youths in our society. Therefore, I can generally appreciate the ideas in the article and the reports for the deep knowledge and academic research concept on matters regarding ethics and morality. The ideas and concepts have enabled me to make better decisions on a matter requiring ethical reasoning.
Impact of Articles Concepts on Ethical Competence Thought
The articles and reports discuss the importance of ethical competence in society. They suggest that ethical competence is necessary in order to make good decisions, resolve conflicts, and build trust. These ideas impact how I think about ethical competence by emphasizing the importance of developing this skill to succeed in society. For instance, our society is full of matters that need an ethical decision to be made. For example, the emergence of technology that allows those who are almost to die to be removed some vital organs and the organs to be used for organ transplant to patients is still causing the ethical dilemma. The ideas and concepts discussed in the article may help in solving some of these ethical dilemmas in society.
References
Ben-Ari A & Strier R (2010). Rethinking Cultural Competence: What Can We Learn from Levinas?
Bisman C. (2004) Social Work Values: The Moral Core of the Profession.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2019). The thinker’s guide to understanding the foundations of ethical reasoning : based on critical thinking concepts & tools. Rowman & Littlefield.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2003). Ethical reasoning. Dillon Beach, CA: The Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Thinkers Guide
Thinkers Guide
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Instructor’s Name
Due Date
Thinkers Guide
Part I
Ethical reasoning abilities development is vitally significant in developing an ethical world and living an ethical life. After reading the Thinker Guide text, I was introduced to understanding and intellectual tools appropriate for reasoning through ethical problems and issues in a more insightful manner. Initially, I confused ethics with behaving according to the law, religious beliefs, and social conventions. I also did not view ethics as a domain itself. However, after interacting with the Thinkers Guide text, I was able to acquire the ethical reasoning foundations. More specifically, I find several ideas and points helpful and interesting, others are not helpful, and some ideas are meaningful takeaways.
Interesting, Helpful, Likable Points or Ideas
First, I find the definition of ethics as a set of principles and concepts that are involved in guiding us to establish the behavior that is helpful or harmful to sentient creatures as interesting. Although many individuals fail to recognize that ethical principles and concepts are universally defined, I found it interesting that we all use shared ethical principles and concepts as guides in reasoning, particularly through usual ethical issues. Also, I find the two functions of ethics helpful, that is, acts enhancing the well-being of other individuals, which results in us being praised, and acts that diminish or harm the well-being of other people warrant our criticism (Paul & Elder, 2019). Hence, I find it interesting how a person must develop ethical reasoning abilities because there exists a strong tendency towards self-deception, self-justification, prejudice, and egotism. I also agree that ethical decisions need an in-depth understanding of where similar acts are ethically praised by certain political, social, or religious groups and ethically condemned by different groups.
Additionally, I agree that we have an essential responsibility to learn to differentiate between ethics questions, the law, religion, and social conventions. If we establish skilled, ethical reasoning as the norm, we must cultivate the ability to establish whether all laws, rules, practices, or belief systems are ethical. Also, I find ethical reasoning abilities helpful, for example, ethical, affective dimensions such as exercising ethical reciprocity, ethical micro-abilities such as clarifying ethical claims and ideas, and ethical micro-skills such as identifying facts from ethical ideas, values, and principles. In addition, I find essential ethical traits helpful to me and everybody. These include ethical traits such as ethical humility, ethical courage, fairmindedness, and ethical integrity. I like these traits and am working towards actualizing and manifesting them.
Unhelpful Ideas and Points
However, I find some ideas and points unhelpful. I find the two types of ethical questions unhelpful; these are simple ethical questions and complex ethical questions, which can be argued in multiple ways. I do not see it necessary to discuss types of ethical questions. I also find the hypothetical example reasoning through a particular complex ethical question unhelpful. It is not essential to provide a hypothetical example regarding the types of ethical questions. In addition, I find the significance of perspective and facts unhelpful. Although it is crucial to analyze data appropriate to a question when prompted with a complex ethical question, I do not find the provision of the significance of perspective and facts in the Thinker’s Guide text helpful in forming my fundamentals of ethical reasoning. Lastly, I find the ideas that ethical facts are frequently ignored or distorted by mainstream news unhelpful. I find the involvement of mainstream news in the Thinker’s Guide text irrelevant and hence should not be part of the guide.
Key Takeaways Essential in Future
Moreover, I found some ideas that were meaningful to me and useful in the future. The ethical reasoning elements and logic encouraged me to reflect on knowing myself ethically (Paul & Elder, 2019). I was able to understand that if I was to reason ethically well, I must learn to distinguish and assess my use of ethical reasoning elements. Hence, whenever I think, I think with a specific purpose within a viewpoint on the basis of assumptions resulting in consequences and implications. I also realized that I use theories and ideas to interpret experiences, facts, and data to resolve issues, solve problems, and answer questions. Hence, this can result in my cultural and ethical competence in practice as I can analyze ethical reasoning better. I am also aware of my own cultural values and beliefs and how they may differ from other individuals’ cultures. I am also able to honor and learn about the varying cultures of those around me. I can also target my ethical purposes.
Ethical reasoning logic also encouraged me to reflect on knowing myself ethically. After examining ethical reasoning logic in the Thinker’s Guide text, I can be able to analyze the logic of any ethical question. Hence, I can assess and analyze parts of my thinking as I explore the question; this has made me know myself ethically by assessing and analyzing every ethical question I make (Paul & Elder, 2019). It has also contributed to my ethical competence. I am now able to recognize my feelings when encountering what is unethical or ethical in certain situations. I can also reflect on these feelings to ensure directing my decisions and ensure acting in ways that result in the highest level of ethics.
Part II
Overall Reaction to the Articles
I have liked how the articles generally address the issue of ethics precisely in a matter which is well defined across all the articles. The articles have expressed great concern about ethical morality and how ethics should be applied across our societies. One unique feature that has been addressed in almost every article is the ethics we apply in our society. The articles have persisted on how humans should relate and how they should treat others in a manner that is morally right and in line with the ethics of society. I agree with most of the concepts outlined in the articles.
To start with social values, I have found that the author of the article has a set of foundations of ethical morals and values which we should apply in our social work environment. I agree with the author on the concepts of social work values in which knowledge, skills and values are critical when addressing social work (Bisman 2004). The arguments by the author are precise, and the manner in which they are convincing to the general audience.
Contribution Of Articles to Thinker’s Guide Text Understanding
The articles have opened up my reasoning and deeper understanding on the basis of basing ethical arguments when subjected to an ethical dilemma or question. Nevertheless, the articles have argued the bases of ethical reasoning using various ethical theories and based on scholars who have done research on a certain element of ethics. For instance, the articles have drawn evidence on theoretical frameworks from professional scholars. The works of the scholars have helped in better analyses of an ethical problem and basing the facts drawn from different scholars and ethical frameworks discussed in the past. The articles have also expounded on the core of ethical reasoning and what one needs to understand in a given ethical scenario (Ben-Ari & Strier 2010). I can arguably say that the articles expanded my knowledge of the values and ethics, which strongly focus on understanding the Thinker’s Page 6 of 10 Guide text.
Illustration of Concepts in the Articles in Practice
My career and lifestyle involve Interaction with people. In addition, I really help people, and one of the critical issues I face is an ethical dilemma on the issues I face every day. It is with great concern that many times am faced with the challenge of defining who is morally right. Most of the concepts and ideas in the articles/ reports direct have had a direct illustration in my practicum. When dealing with people, it is good to apply good ethical behavior and moral values. For instance, in the article “Rethinking Cultural Competence: What Can We Learn from Levinas?” the author revisited a theoretical review of cultural competence (Ben-Ari & Strier 2010). My practicum will often deal with the issue of ethical competence from different field aspects. To be more precise, defining rules and guidelines that should be followed have been illustrated in this article. This has also proved the concepts and ideas illustrated in our daily activities.
Impact of Articles Concepts on Ethical Competence Thought
The articles and reports discussed the importance of ethical competence in leaders and how it can impact an organization. Ethical competence includes the ability to make ethical decisions, understand the implications of those decisions, and act in an ethical manner (Ben-Ari & Strier 2010). One of the key areas where ethical competence is needed is in leadership. Ethically competent leaders can create an ethical culture within their organization and set the tone for how employees should act. These ideas have impacted how I think about ethical competence because they have shown me how important it is for leaders to be ethically competent. It is not enough for leaders to just be ethical; they must also be competent in order to create an ethical culture within their organization.
References
Ben-Ari A & Strier R (2010). Rethinking Cultural Competence: What Can We Learn from Levinas?
Bisman C. (2004) Social Work Values: The Moral Core of the Profession.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2019). The thinker’s guide to understanding the foundations of ethical reasoning : based on critical thinking concepts & tools. Rowman & Littlefield.