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USA Edition | Today Is Wednesday, May 22, 2013 |
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Socratic Warning
Newsroom Magazine
May Challenge
Or Demand
Critical Thinking
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The intellectual roots of critical thinking date back to the Greek philosophers.
Socrates discovered, by means of probing questions, that in the exchange of competing ideas, people sometimes make confident claims based on unreliable assumptions or failed logic.
Such arguments, he discovered, were either erroneous in fact, absent sufficient foundation, or failing in logic. Instead, most arguments were based on confused meanings, inadequate evidence, or contradictory beliefs.
Socrates' contributions to critical thinking were many -- for he established new ways to think about contentious issues in terms of the quality of assumptions, facts and logic.
Thus Socrates demonstrated that persons may have passion, or power or high position but yet be deeply confused and irrational.
Good journalism, like compelling debate, is based on a clear understanding of facts and the logical construction of one's argument. And that is what the Socratic Method and The Sophist Tradition is all about.
Evidentiary Approach
The Socratic Method is the preferred way to examine issues.In the Socratic mode of questioning, postulations, ideas or arguments are examined for their clarity and logical consistency by systematic analysis of facts, assumptions and logical methodology to support a conclusion.
Socratic analysis is accomplished by means of a series of probing questions that systematically examine the quality of an argument or conclusion.
Understanding the quality of information, argument or one's conclusions, is fundamental to critical thinking -- and the goal of critical editing.
Historical Foundation
Socrates’ practice was followed by the critical thinking of Plato (who recorded Socrates’ thought), Aristotle, and the Greek skeptics, all of whom emphasized that things are often very different from what they appear to be.Only the trained mind is prepared to see through the way things look to us on the surface (delusive appearances) to the way they really are beneath the surface (the deeper realities of life.)
From this ancient Greek tradition emerged the need, for anyone who aspired to understand the deeper realities, to think systematically, to trace implications broadly and deeply; for only thinking that is comprehensive, well-reasoned, and responsive to objections can take us beyond the surface.
Means Of Analysis
The common denominators of Critical Thinking requires, for example, the systematic monitoring of thought; that thinking, to be critical, must not be accepted at face value, but must be analyzed and assessed for its clarity, accuracy, relevance, depth, breadth, and logical validity. All reasoning occurs within points of view and frames of reference.All reasoning proceeds from some goals, objectives, and has an informational base. All data, when used in reasoning, must be interpreted. That interpretation involves concepts, that concepts entail assumptions, and that all basic inferences in thought have implications, and each of these dimensions of thinking need to be monitored where problems of thinking can occur.
Questioning Chain
The result of the collective contribution of the history of critical thought is that the basic questions of Socrates can now be much more powerfully and focally framed.In every domain of human thought, and within every use of reasoning within any domain, it is now possible to question:
• ends and objectives
• the status and wording of questions
• the sources of information and fact
• the method and quality of information collection
• the mode of judgment and reasoning used
• the concepts that make that reasoning possible
• the assumptions that underlie concepts in use
• the implications that follow from their use
• the point of view or frame of reference within which reasoning takes place
Jeffrey Slee
Logician
Smart grid technologies give consumers more control over their electric costs and help utilities better manage the electric grid to improve operational efficiency. Smart grid investments make it possible to increase the use of renewable energy by balancing intermittent sources of power – like wind and solar –with other fuels. A smart grid also enables greater use of demand side management tools to save energy.
Washington
Agriculture Secretary Announces Goal For Smart Grid Investments And Funding To Improve Electric Services To Customers In 10 States
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined Administration officials today to announce initiatives aimed at modernizing the nation’s electric grid, including USDA’s goal to invest $250 million in smart grid equipment deployment in rural America over the next 12 months.
“This is one more step in our effort to modernize rural America’s electric grid.” Vilsack said. “Smart grid technologies give consumers greater control over their electric costs and help utilities efficiently manage power generation and delivery. Through the use of modern technology we can improve the efficiency of distribution, increase reliability, and win the future through innovation.”
Smart grid technologies give consumers more control over their electric costs and help utilities better manage the electric grid to improve operational efficiency. Smart grid investments make it possible to increase the use of renewable energy by balancing intermittent sources of power – like wind and solar –with other fuels. A smart grid also enables greater use of demand side management tools to save energy.
With funding from USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS), rural electric cooperatives are leading the way in smart grid deployments. Last year, RUS approved $7.1 billion in loans for a broad range of rural electric grid modernization, including $152 million in loans for smart meters. Smart grid infrastructure includes metering, substation automation, computer applications to monitor and control systems and processes, two-way communications, geospatial information systems, and additional system improvements.
As an ongoing example of the Obama Administration’s commitment to smart grid technologies, Vilsack announced that $106 million in electric loans USDA Rural Development is providing includes $7.4 million in smart grid technology for technologies such as load management and automatic meter reading.
In Kentucky, for example, the Blue Grass Energy Cooperative Corporation will receive a loan guarantee of nearly $38 million to build more than 152 miles of line. In addition, the rural electric cooperative will use $2.7 million for smart grid technologies, including automated meter reading and load management automation, which can allow for more efficient control over the use of power to better meet customers’ needs.
In North Carolina and Tennessee, French Broad Electric Membership Corporation will receive a loan guarantee of $20 million, with more than $2.4 million to be used for advanced meter infrastructure upgrades that can help utilities and customers better control the use and production of electric energy.
The following is a list of rural utilities that were selected to receive USDA funding, which is contingent upon the borrower meeting the terms of the loan agreement.
Indiana
- Jasper County Rural Electric Membership Corporation — $4,000,000 will be used to build 17 miles of new distribution line, make improvements to 19 miles of existing distribution line, and make other system improvements. $15,000 will be used for advanced meter deployment.
Kansas
- Nemaha-Marshall Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. — $7,640,000 will be used to build 35 miles of new distribution line and make other system improvements. $976,000 will be used for advanced meter deployment.
Kentucky
- Blue Grass Energy Cooperative Corporation — $37,992,000 will be used to build 152 miles of new distribution line, make improvements to 171 miles of distribution line, and make other system improvements. $2.7 million will be used for advanced meter deployment.
Montana
- Tongue River Electric Cooperative, Inc. — $7,694,000 will be used to build 21 miles of new distribution line, make improvements to 35 miles of existing distribution line, and make other system improvements. The loan also includes $660,000 for advanced meter deployment.
North Carolina and Tennessee
- French Broad Electric Membership Corporation — $20,000,000 will be used to build 163 miles of new distribution line, make improvements to 125 miles of existing distribution line, and make other system improvements. $2.4 million will be used for smart grid technology for advanced meter deployment.
North Dakota
- KEM Electric Cooperative, Inc. — $6,000,000 will be used to build 17 miles of new distribution line, make improvements to 118 miles of existing distribution line, and make other system improvements. $50,460 will be used for advanced meter deployment.
- Cavalier Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. — $8,183,000 will be used to build 28 miles of new distribution line, make improvements to 185 miles of existing distribution line, and make other system improvements. $8,100 will be used for advanced meter deployment.
Virginia and West Virginia
- Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative — $4,400,000 will be used to build 81 miles of new distribution line, make improvements to 47 miles of existing distribution line, and make other system improvements. $563,600 will be used for smart grid technology such as advanced meter deployment.
Washington
- Benton Rural Electric Association — $10,167,000 will be used to build 32 miles of new distribution line, and make other system improvements.