Dare to change your mind
Step 4: Make your judgment
Review your findings in Steps 2 and 3 and decide whether you should agree or disagree with the viewpoint in question. Caution: Be sure to make this decision on the basis of your analysis and not on your feel- ings or preferences. If your decision is to disagree, state the view that you believe is more consistent with the facts. (Remember that the best view may be one that combines insights from both sides of the issue.)
A comprehensive thinking strategy
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In recent years health experts have become concerned about the increasing numbers of Americans who are significantly overweight or obese. By publicizing their concerns, the experts sparked a national de- bate about the cause(s) of this phenomenon. The following essay blames the fast-food industry. Read it carefully, and then apply the four-step com- prehensive thinking strategy, using a separate sheet of paper.
Shame on Fast-Food Merchants By Elena Rodriguez
Obesity is no joke. It has been linked to heart conditions, high blood pres- sure, sleep apnea, diabetes, and respiratory problems. And one in five Ameri- cans qualifies as obese—that is, 30 percent heavier than the normal weight for
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. one’s height. The increase in obesity among children over the last decade or so
is especially alarming.
Who is to blame for this increase? To some extent, the people themselves for eating fattening foods and not getting enough exercise. In the case of chil- dren, parents share some responsibility for allowing kids to snack continuously. But a good share of the blame must go to the fast-food industry, particularly to restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s.
The fast-food industry rejects that argument, and that comes as no surprise. If the courts were to uphold it, the dollar settlements would be huge (no pun intended). Their position would be believable if they just sat between the golden arches or whatever and waited for people to walk in and place an order. But they don’t do that. They ADVERTISE. Translation: they use all kinds of slogans and gimmicks to entice people in, especially young people.
Think of all the scenes of good times and friendship you have seen in fast- food ads, with trim, athletic people chattering happily or singing jingles and dancing. (Not a bulging size 3X in sight!) Think, too, of the mouth-watering pic- tures of burgers and fish fillets, steam rising, ketchup oozing, and the accom- panying invitation to “supersize” your order. (Never a reference to mega-mil- ligrams of salt, mounds of sugar, or artery-clogging fat!)
When you’ve got all those images firmly in mind, you’ll realize why the fast- food industry bears the main responsibility for the current obesity problem— because their ads deceive the public.
exercise 10 (cont.)
Not everyone accepts the view that the fast-food industry is to blame for the rise in obesity. For example, the following essay disputes that charge. Read the essay carefully and then apply the four-step compre- hensive thinking strategy, using a separate sheet of paper. (Note: If you strongly agreed with the first essay, you will probably be tempted to reject this es- say automatically. Resist that temptation and give it a fair hearing. If the author presents good reasons for changing your mind, dare to do so.)
McD’s Fault? Give Me a Break By Shandon Jackson
Time was when people were held accountable for their behavior. Now no one is. Rude, obnoxious people blame their parents for their offenses. Semiliterate ig- noramuses blame their teachers. Incompetent workers blame their employers.
A comprehensive thinking strategy
41
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People who destroy their lungs by smoking blame cigarette manufacturers. Given this “blame someone else” mentality, it was predictable that sooner or later over- weight people would blame fast-food vendors.
The lawsuits that have been filed against fast-food restaurants are pure frivolity, totally without merit. Anyone with a smidgeon of common sense knows that fast-food is fattening and lacking in nutritional value. Restaurants shouldn’t have to post signs announcing the fact, any more than stove manufacturers should have to warn buyers that hot surfaces burn.
Do fast-food advertisements make our mouths water? Of course. Ads for di- amonds and Porsche convertibles tempt us, too, but so what? Sales pitches are meant to sell us things we may not need or may not be good for us, and they do so by exaggerating.
The Romans invented a wonderful rule to cover such cases. It’s called caveat emptor, “let the buyer beware.” That’s a polite way of saying, “If someone snookered you, take a good look in the mirror, say ‘shame on you’ to the per- son who looks back, and then get on with your life.” That’s still good advice.
If we don’t put a stop to frivolous lawsuits, before long short people will be suing their parents for depriving them of “tall genes,” chocoholics will be su- ing Hershey for causing their skin to break out, couch potatoes will be suing sofa manufacturers for enlarging their butts, and defeated politicians will be suing the voters for frustrating their ambitions. Enough is enough.
exercise 11 (cont.)
What lessons can you draw from the “Good Thinking!” profiles of Albert Einstein, Elizabeth Loftus, and Faye Abdellah presented in this chapter? Explain how you can use each of those lessons in your career and/or per- sonal life.
Note: Another “Good Thinking!” profile and exercise may be found online.
Write your answers to these quiz questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1.
This book focuses on evaluating ideas and also includes some approachesfor producing them. True or false?
2.
Define the term intelligence.3.
Why is critical thinking an important skill to develop?4.
Explain the error in this statement: “I create my own truth. What I believe to be true is true for me.”5.
State the principle of contradiction. Then explain how this principle aids us in critical thinking.6.
Respond to this statement: “I have a right to my opinion, so you have no business challenging it.”7.
Is it useful to argue about matters of taste? Explain.8.
Changing one’s mind signals a lack of conviction. True or false? Explain your answer.9.
A reason is the basis for thinking or doing something and is commonly signaled by the word “because.” True or false?10.
State and briefly explain the four steps of the comprehensive thinking strat- egy presented in this chapter.Answers to this quiz may be found online.
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3
Persuasive
Communication
I N T H I S C H A P T E R