1.) Jean Piaget gave us four stages that focused on adolescence. However, he has now introduced us to postformal thought, which is a manner of critical thinking that involves intelligence– but also emotional stability and maturity. Postformal thinking requires us to be flexible thinkers–not so stuck on a singular idea, to be logical thinkers–in that we use reason and facts to come up with creative solutions, and it means we accept ethical and intellectual intricacies that may not be aligned with our own ways of seeing life. Postformal thought is described by how individuals know the world outside of ourselves.
Use your research skills to learn more about postformal thought for adults. With your research of postformal thought, describe a world where you are more tolerant of others who do not think like you. Describe a world where you use logic in place of emotions, but where you also allow your emotions to mature–so that your emotions are aligned with logic. If we all utilized postformal thought, what changes might we see in society? How would we, as a society, solve problems differently? Please be thoughtful in your answer and answer all parts. Your answer must be a minimum of 50+ words. Remember, minimum lengths are for minimum points.
2.) What we believe is a norm–is relative to many life experiences. Many believe norms are what society deems as acceptable in any given era. But, norms depend on individual’s perspectives–as well as cultural differences, which can be different based upon where we live, our family traditions, our gender, our age, our religion, our sense of justice, etc. Of course, norms vary from from person to person or culture to culture because all of our lived experiences are different and dynamic. Opinions are formed based upon life events, situational context and–most of all–our individual or collective perspective of those experiences–what we see as normal.
Using norms as a springboard, how can norms be limiting and cause intolerance in our world, and how can norms also be powerful and a catalyst for change. Please be thoughtful in your answer, and answer both parts–giving at least one example of each. Your answer must be a minimum of 50+ words. Remember, minimum lengths are for minimum points.
3.) Relativistic thinking is our sense that reality and the way we cognitively process that reality is relative, which all depends on an individual’s perspective. Of course, reality varies from person to person because all of our lived experiences are different and dynamic. Opinions are formed based upon culture, live events, situational context and –most of all–our perspective of our experiences.
Using relativistic thinking as a springboard, how can this type of thinking be limiting and cause intolerance in our world, and how can it also be powerful and a catalyst for change. Please be thoughtful in your answer, and answer both parts. Your answer must be a minimum of 50+ words. Remember minimum lengths are for minimum points.
4.) We are getting older. At some point in our lives, according to Erik Erikson, we will either experience integrity or despair. We will enjoy integrity if we lived a life that was based upon our most cherished values; in other words our actions aligned with our values. We may suffer despair if we reach a certain age, conduct a life review, and find in this reflection that we did not act upon our most cherished value, this may cause great emotional pain because we may feel that we have little time left to rectify this. But, the good news is that it is never too late.
Name one of your most cherished values that you believe, if acted upon, will make a significant impact on society – whether that is your family, community, or the greater world around you. How can putting this value into practice have a societal impact? What can you do right now that will help you to hold yourself accountable for living this life of integrity? Please be thoughtful in your answer, and respond to all parts. Your answer must be a minimum of 50+ words. Remember, minimum lengths are for minimum points.
