MONA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT Masters in Business Administration Part-Time Sundays, Cohort 17 Course Code: SBCO 6000

Course Title: Foundation Skills for Graduate Management Education Module One: Critical Thinking Component Coursework Assignment Title: Critical Thinking and Argument

ID# 06001930 Lecturer: Mr. Martin Henry

Due Date: July 14, 2013

a) What is Critical Thinking? Critical Thinking is a problem solving technique that takes the trouble to carefully analyze the problem at hand and defines with precision the type of problem and the means through which it can be resolved. It is an evaluative process that checks the quality of the input to recognize validity and reliability in a structured way the uses that to manipulate data in a way that generates best answer results that are fair and unbiased as supported by Glaser (1941) where Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.

b) What is an Argument? An argument is a process through which a set o claims or statements are justified and a conclusion formed based on the reasons proposed for the premise. It is not a case where you have a disagreement or fight with someone nor is it a debate where you evaluate the pros and cons of an argument like a debate (Ramage, Bean, Johnson 2012). An argument persuades someone by providing sound reasoning for your claim that can appeal to your audience. Similar to critical thinking an argument combines truth seeking and persuasive means through which persons are able to identify with the writer/arguer. This results in the formation of a best answer conclusion. c) How are critical thinking and argument related? While critical thinking is a structure process that objectively analyses and evaluates information and draw a conclusion, arguments may have correct statements but the premise upon which these arguments are based can be subjective and as such in justifying the information which may not always represent the claim in a fair and

unbiased way. Even though critical thinking and argument have a similar where inputs must be justifies and a conclusion made. We must recognize that for arguments there is a risk that premises are not properly justified and such whether or not statements are true they wont be believed. As an MBA student it is wise that we carefully analyze every problem that may arise so as to produce results that are fair and truthful.

d) As a MBA Student how is critical thinking useful to you? As a Masters in Business Administration student (MBA) it is always an asset to be able to analyze situations critically from an objective standpoint. People tend to believe more in your judgement and regard the information produced to be truthful. It is essential that theories proposed whether by managers, coworkers, group members, or other persons that we interact with on a daily basis are in a way that promotes best answer results. The more we are able to view form an objective point of view, the better. Especially in my job as an accountant where the data we receive comes from various sources must be validated. Also we are held accountable to auditors to explain why we make certain decisions so that we are able to see our viewpoint and even agree that this was the best possible solution to the dilemma proposed.

References
Edward M. Glaser, 1941 An Experiment in the Development of Critical Thinking, Ramage, John D., Bean, John C., Johnson, June. (2012, 9th edition). Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. Pearson/Longman