Democracy, Critical Thinking, & Journalism

Hi Coberst,

What an interesting post. It's certainly not one I could have put together (especially regarding the history of journalism).

Before answering your questions at the bottom of the page, I have some observations in the body of the post :



Not being a military officer, I wouldn't have described what they need to be able to do as an algorithm…though I guess it would come close. I would have said it was more like what you attributed to journalists :



With the difference being in timeframe allowed (military may have to do so instantaneously), and the consequent results (military failure to connect the dots instaneously may result in friendly deaths).



I didn't find the journalism to be any different in the leadup to the Iraq war.



My low opinion of journalism comes from their onesided stories and their related their lack of critical analysis of important issues…but I guess that's more a low standard of journalism than what you are talking about (it just seems to be the overwhelming majority of them today)



A degree of knowledge is required to critical thinking. With knowledge as a base, then in general I still agree with what you said.



Hmmm, no. I think there are people better able to join the dots (those dots require knowledge), and that there are people more willing to seek out knowledge, and that there are people with better memories, and people who are more curious, and a combination of such (and probably other factors) affect ones ability at critical thinking, but I wouldn't say that we could honestly classify people into levels…because of the factors involved.



Going back to the problem with indoctrination military types into the righteousness of ones country…

But in terms of pure thinking….the military types will provide the visionaries…

The journalists will provide the critics,

The military types will provide the doers

The journalists will provide the talkers/debators

Both are necessary to democracy.

i'm of the opinion that any group of people can produce a visionary, even a positive one, not just the military.

(even republicans...)

vikorr


An algorithm is a step by step description for action and this is what the military depends upon. Everyone in the military has to follow standard operating procedures because all plans are dependent upon that as a known.

Bias like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This has been how the conservatives have been able to negate the negative happenings, especially in the war, at least before the Washington Times came on the scene.

Critical Thinking is process, character, knowledge, skill, and attitude. Good judgments require both the proper process, character, knowledge, skill, and attitude; and also knowledge about the subject under consideration.

Hi Tiny, that's quite true. I think it's just that the military system identifies people who are able to join the dots, and think strategically, and then trains those abilities to a higher standard.
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Hi coberst. Yes, I understand this, and that is a fair generalization…but your example has little to do with either journalists or military officers as per the original post…my post was trying to relate knowledge and understanding to that original comparison.


Oh, I was thinking mathematical algorithm, which is the only place I have ever heard the term used.

Out of curiosity, are you certain that the military operate the way you describe? (it seems a recipe for many problems to me)