Title: Think Critically
Authors: Peter Facione, Carol Ann Gittens
Publisher: Pearson
Publication Date: 2015-01-26
Edition: 3rd
APA Citation
Facione, P. A., & Gittens, C. A. (2016). Think critically (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.
What core values would you risk your life and freedom to defend?
Could a nation going to war be appropriate in certain circumstances – or is war never an appropriate response?
I believe the most fundamental value as a human being is freedom. Freedom to choose, freedom to do within the confines of the law and without harm to others. America is built on this very concept of freedom however, it’s history reflects that the starting point was complete opposite. A foundation of slavery, oppression and other various forms of discrimination against others. In turn this experience led the country to its current state where freedom in its intangible form is the key value of what it means to be an American. In this train of thought, yes. I would risk my life to defend the freedom we currently have. If it prevents us as a nation from moving backwards to the past. Slavery, oppression and discrimination are notions that are barriers to the progress and cultivation of the nation as whole. The liberties we enjoy at these current times are a testament to the progress and omission from such notions.
In some nations, oppression is still very prevalent. The liberties of freedom, rights and basic human decency are a far notion. China for example is a nation where the government has complete control on various aspects concerning the citizens. For instance, the control of media. Media serves as an important resource for information. Information that could affect the livelihood of the population and alter their decisions and choices within their daily lives. Instead the Chinese institution decides what will be shown and what information will be shared. This presents a certain narrative for the population, whether the narrative is true or false it will be the only one they acknowledge. The government uses this tactic to sway the masses towards the notion the institution believes is best. This does not promote critical thinking. Quite the opposite and too much free thinking or critical thinking within the masses could have the opposite effect such as fines and other various forms of lawful penalties. If China was to mark United states as a territory for their expansion, it would be justified for the country to go to war to protect not only its territories and people but what the country represents and stands for; freedom and justice for all.
References
Tang, W. Zhang, Y. (2023). Revolution derailed: The struggle for media control and media freedom in China. Asian Policy and Politics pp 563 – 584. Revolution derailed: The struggle for media control and media freedom in China – Tang – 2023 – Asian Politics & Policy – Wiley Online Library (oclc.org)Links to an external site.
