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Critical Thinking Case Study: Underlying Assumptions

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Answer the follow questions about the scenario and give at least five answers

What are the assumptions underlying this scenario? (List at least five)
What should the individuals in the scenarios do to validate their assumptions?
What are some other alternatives available to the individuals in this scenario?
How would you check the assumptions you believe are being made? (Discuss alternatives)

Scenario :
Celeste is a wife and mother of two young children. She is in her mid-30s and has decided to go back to work. Her husband, a college professor, works an extra job, and so is tired all the time and does not spend enough time with the family. Celeste wants things to slow down for him. She will put the children in daycare. She'll have a 45-minute commute. The extra money will help Jim give up extra commitments. Economically, they will remain about the same but the burden will now be shared more fairly. She expects these changes will make the family happier.

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Solution Summary

The solution provides guidance and insight in finding underlying assumptions and scenarios when confronted with a particular case where an analysis of the subject for the purpose of making the correct, most acceptable/efficient choice equates to a life changing decision (see scenario in long description). The solution is written in APA format, contains excerpt from the work of Prof. D. Kies on source of assumptions and the essay analysis of the scenario (Celeste's). The solution is also attached as a word file, references are provided.

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Dear Student,

When we talk of underlying scenarios and assumptions we are talking about that fallible human reaction to assume and ignore the need to critically analyse the situation leading many to take actions which, instead of becoming the solutions they were supposed to be led to more problems. Underlying assumptions though, in Critical Thinking take on a formulaic form whereby the use of language in the text or speech can lead us to find the source of the assumption of which there are 4: Cultural, Biological, Intellectual and Idiosyncratic. A quick explanation of the sources according to Prof. D. Kies (1995) of the College of DuPage:

"Cultural. The circumstances of my life play a role in shaping how I look at the world, how I interpret and understand ideas, people, and events around me. In this way, the cultures I inhabit all contribute to how I think and form the basis for many of the assumptions I make about the world.

Biological. Our eyes and nose can perceive the environment before us better than in any other direction. Likewise, our ears are better at gathering sounds in front of us than from any other direction. It's even easier for us to taste something in front of us than anywhere else. In this way, our biology lends itself to creating patterns of analogical thinking that may determine much of what we think about the world. These are the assumptions that are biologically determined.
Intellectual. As a human being, I have a capacity to reason. Consequently, I prefer fact over opinion, certainty over uncertainty, truth over lies. Our preference (bias?) for rational ...

Solution provided by:
Xenia Rochelle Jones, MA, PhD (IP)
Education
  • MPhil/PhD (IP), Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • MA, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • Certificate, Geva Ulpan (via Universita Tel Aviv)
  • BA, University of the Philippines
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