Nature of Logic and Perception

Nature of Logic and Perception

What is real? Our perception of reality is often a product of the environment in which we live. In general, we formulate ideas of reality based on our own experiences as well as the experiences of the people around us. Our lives are influenced constantly by our surroundings. The act of critical thinking is what separates us from the other animals on our planet. As stated by Kirby and Goodpaster "that many philosophers since Aristotle have defined humans as thinking animals" (Kirby and Goodpaster, p. 3). For critical thinking permits us to ask the many probing questions that help use expand our understanding of what is around us and beyond, to learn new things, to explore.

Our ability to absorb new concepts and think about new ways to use what we have learned is in our nature. Take an example from Thomas Edison. Edison, when inventing the light bulb, had made thousands of failed attempts to perfect the light bulb but he did not give up.

He continued to move forward with the invention of the light bulb and with every failed experiment he learned just enough from each failure to realize that he was just a little closer to his goal - to light the world. For anyone to accomplish anything they need the ability to think critically and to question all things. To accomplish and build new things one cannot give up at the first sign of failure they continue to analyze, probe, research and learn with every experiment, regardless if that experiment is considered a failure or success. To ask every question until the answer presents itself.

Outside of our communities, television, radio, and movies sculpt our perception of the outside world. I think most of my thinking at the ordinary level...