Knowledge & Assumption Pima Medical Institute Online

Assumption masks how difficult issues of knowledge and perception actually are How do you know you’re a human? I think. Therefore, I am. One critical thinking disease people suffer from is assumption.   For example, how do you know you're a human? You've probably never asked yourself this question because you probably have always assumed you are a human. When answering a question like this, it's sometimes helpful to consider the negation of the question. In grammar, a negation is the negative phrasing, or opposite phrasing, of a positive statement or question. Positive: I know I'm a human being. Negation: I know I'm not a human being In either statement, we are probably assuming what a human being is, until we come up with a definition for human being. Consider the following conversation. It will show you how assumption often masks how difficult many issues of knowledge and perception actually are. We must first define “human being.” POSITIVE: I know I’m a human being. NEGATION: I know I’m not a human being. Gee, I don’t know.

schizophrenia depression bipolar disorder autism Shhh, I’m thinking. Post-traumatic stress disorder autism Whose turn is it? He won’t think or speak again. Age before beauty! Try, try, try again. Caw. Again. Jack: How do we really know we're humans, Jill?   Jill: We have to define what humans are first. Once we have a definition, then we could see if you and I really fit the definition. That will tell us if we're human. Jack: Let's say humans have organs; especially, let's say humans have brains. Jill: But cats and cows and birds have brains too, as well as many of the same organs as humans, and we wouldn't call any of those animals humans, would we? Jack: No, I guess you're right. But humans have language and reason. So maybe we could say humans are animals that can communicate and use reason. Jill: But many animals can communicate too. Bees have complicated dances that communicate where their hives are, humpback whales sing songs to each other across oceans about where to find food or where to mate, and we've even taught chimpanzees to use some sign language. Jack: But what about reason? Those animals can use some form of language, but it doesn't prove they're using reason when they communicate. Jill: Maybe some animals can't reason, but surely some other animals can. Do you have a dog? My dog is always finding new ways to escape the yard. How could he learn new ways to escape if he wasn't using reason? Also, scientists have set up logic problems for animals like the raven, using problems ravens never would encounter in nature, like putting balls in a tube in order to retrieve some trapped piece of food, and often the ravens can solve the problems using trial and error, which is a form of reason. Jack: Okay, but isn't that a limited form of reason? I mean, ravens aren't building rockets or sending other ravens to the moon or writing novels or symphonies or performing brain surgery on each other. So couldn't we say humans are animals that use a complicated form of reason? Jill: Well, I think we could say some humans use more complicated reason than some animals, but not all humans use complicated reason. My cousin was in a bad car accident, and now he can't speak or walk. The doctors said his brain is cashed, he won't ever be able to speak or think again. Would you say he isn't a human now? Plus, babies can't use complicated reason, are they not humans? There are tons of diseases that keep people from using complicated reason, are they not human too? But cats and cows and birds have brains, too. But many animals communicate too. Some animals can. Do you have a dog? We have to define what humans are. Some humans use more complicated reason… Okay, but isn’t that a limited form of reason? Humans have language and reason. But what about reason? How do we know we’re humans, Jill? Let’s say humans have organs and brains.

What is human? HUMANS Not all humans do Chimpanzees can Use complicated reasoning Walk upright What is human? Not all humans do Has opposable thumbs Jack: I see your point. I guess I wouldn't say those people aren't humans. So complicated reason can't be the defining point for who is human and who isn't. And I guess if I said humans have opposable thumbs, you would bring up a human who has no hands, and if I said humans walk upright, you would point to chimpanzees again. So, what is human?   Jill: After this conversation, I guess I'm not completely sure. I guess I’m not completely sure! I see your point. What is human?

“Knowing” something can be difficult Jack and Jill’s conversation shows how difficult “knowing” something can be, and how often something as seemingly obvious as "who is human and who isn't" can actually be full of assumptions that have not yet been critically analyzed.   If Jack and Jill’s conversation seems ridiculous to you, consider that it wasn't too long ago in the United States when many people did not consider slaves as humans. And it wasn't too long after that when Nazi Germany concluded that many groups of people were not only sub-human, but a disease to true humanity. “Knowing” something can be difficult

Knowledge & Assumption It’s ok to make assumptions when we don’t have enough information. Be aware when you or others are making assumptions Don’t mistake your assumptions to be fact. Life often requires that we make assumptions and that’s okay. Sometimes, we have no other choice but to assume because there isn’t enough information available to know for certain. What becomes dangerous is when we take our assumptions to be fact.   If you’re going to be a good critical thinker, you must be aware when you’re making assumptions and when those around you are making assumptions.

To continue your lesson, click the Back button Images: fetalfacts.net ushmm.org saij.files.wordpress.com To continue your lesson, click the Back button Click here to watch ravens use reasoning. Presented by PMI Online Pima Medical Institute Online