WOLAITA SODO UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVICS AND ETHICAL STUDIES

CRITICAL THINKING GROUP ASSIGNMENT FOR FRESHMAN STUDENTS (CHAPTER 4)
General Instructions:
(a) Your answer should be clear, precise and to the point.
(b) Your handwriting should be legible.
(c) Minimum length of the assignment: 7 pages (The quality of your work also matters! If you want
quality work and a high-grade, plan ahead and make time for writing your assignment.)
(d) Don’t copy from another group’s work; failing to observe the rules may yield dire consequence.
(e) Maximum Marks: 20%
(f) Submission date: Before 29/ 07/2016 E.C
Group 1. Critical thinking refers to correct thinking in the pursuit of relevant and reliable knowledge
about the world. In order to resolve a particular political or religious controversial issue having a peaceful
dialogue and discussion is an imperative. To ensure this, undoubtedly following certain codes/principles
of critical thinking is important. What would be the impact of being uncritical in these areas? While,
discuss the importance of critical thinking in your personal life, academic area and in your future
professional career.

Group 2. Establishing truth in every claim is significant for every community – be it lay people or
scientific. We also encounter arguments, expiation and information in our daily life, books, mainstream
media or social media. Explain the significance of each standards of critical thinking and principles of
good argument in the attempt of developing truth and distinguishing good arguments from bad ones.

Group 3. Discuss the impediments of critical thinking that play powerful role in hindering critical
thinking particularly not to have peaceful dialogue in order to resolve socio-political problem of your
country - Ethiopia. Explain each barriers referring to hypothetical or actual situation that the country will
experience/have experienced.

Group 4. Socrates, one of the great Greek Philosophers, stated, “The unexamined life is not worth
living.” What does he mean? What is the difference between examined and unexamined life for you?
Explain Socrates’s assertion referring to the traits of critical vs uncritical thinker. Discuss the importance
of examined life in your academic, communal, political and religious life.

Group 5. Explain the difference between critical thinking and uncritical thinking and also list down and
discuss the basic traits of critical thinkers and uncritical thinkers. Compare and contrast critical and
uncritical thinkers.

Group 6. What do you think about egocentrism, socio-centrism and relativistic thinking as barriers of
critical thinking? Do we really avoid such thinking? To what extent they are problems of critical
thinking. Discuss these concepts and support your discussions with sound arguments.