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USA Edition | Today Is Thursday, May 23, 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
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The Marshall Foundation is making a strategic decision to refocus its core mission of maintaining a world-class research library and archive,” said Brian D. Shaw, Foundation President. “In addition we will continue to prepare emerging leaders in military service, foreign service, public administration and business in the essentials of vision, strategy and leadership, those characteristics for which General Marshall was so well known.
Brian D. Shaw, Marshall Foundation President
Washington
Marshall Foundation Shifts To Leadership Education, Recommits To Research Support
December 11, 2012
As part of a decision by its Board of Trustees to refocus its mission, the George C. Marshall Foundation plans to transfer ownership of its building to Virginia Military Institute. The Marshall Foundation will continue to operate its research library and archives from its current location while offering educational programs in strategic thinking and leadership in Lexington and beyond.
The proposed transfer has been approved by the Foundation Board of Trustees and is subject to approval by The VMI Board of Visitors and the Virginia General Assembly. The arrangement is expected to become effective sometime in 2013. Under the proposal, ownership of the building and the ground it occupies will be transferred to VMI, which intends to execute a long-term lease to allow the Marshall Foundation to stay in a portion of the building.
“The Marshall Foundation is making a strategic decision to refocus its core mission of maintaining a world-class research library and archive,” said Brian D. Shaw, Foundation President. “In addition we will continue to prepare emerging leaders in military service, foreign service, public administration and business in the essentials of vision, strategy and leadership, those characteristics for which General Marshall was so well known,” Shaw said.
“We will continue to operate as an independent, private, nonprofit foundation with our own board of trustees and corporate charter. And we have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with VMI that we expect will continue for many years,” he said.
Founded in 1953, the Marshall Foundation operates an archive and a research library, conducts conferences, participates in special events and outreach, and is concluding the publication of the seven-volume Marshall Papers, a comprehensive study of Marshall’s life and career. The building, located at VMI, was dedicated in 1964.
A 1901 graduate of VMI, Marshall was the chief of staff of the Army during World War II. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the post-war European Recovery Program known as the “Marshall Plan” that restored the economies of Western Europe while he was Secretary of State. Later he served as Secretary of Defense during the Korean War.
General J. H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI’s Superintendent, said VMI’s educational mission and its close association with Marshall make the transfer a sensible move.
“This supports our educational mission as a state institution,” he said. “General Marshall is a large figure in VMI’s history and lore. It is natural for VMI to take up management of this building and ensure its continued use to recognize the many contributions he made to the world. At the same time, this arrangement will benefit the Marshall Foundation, allowing it to transition to this new phase of service to our nation.”
VMI’s plan is to lease part of the building to the Foundation for its offices, archives, and other functions. The primary public spaces of building will be taken over by VMI, with much of that area to be devoted to such functions as visitor reception. The Institute has identified other educational and general functions that can be placed in the building.
In addition to the current public space, VMI will occupy a number of offices and other spaces, including the Pogue Auditorium.
While many of the items in the museum will transfer to VMI, other items, including the library collection and archives, will remain with the Foundation. Those items will remain available to scholars and the public.