Homework 2

Instructions for HW 2: Answer the following questions. The more you think about your answers, the more valuable class will be to you. Email to atallman (at) salemphx.com by 12PM 4/27.
1. Is the person who wins the argument right?
2. Do people who think fast tend to be right more often or wrong more often?
3. Have you ever lost an argument but still refused to change your mind? Why?
4. Have you ever won an argument but knew you were wrong? How? What did you do?
5. What does it mean to be open-minded?
6. Why might someone say that being judgmental is the most valuable thing humans do with their thinking?
7. Are there any subjects about which you should not be open-minded?
8. Is there any belief you have that you would not give up no matter what the evidence against it was?
9. Is there any belief you would not accept regardless of the arguments for it?
10. How important is proof to you? Why?
11. Do you believe in God? What would it take to change your mind?
12. Do you believe in life on other planets? What would it take to change your mind?
13. Do you believe politicians are trustworthy? What would it take to change your mind?
14. What does it practically mean when you trust someone?
15. How do you decide whom to trust? Do you start with trust or distrust toward strangers?
16. If you disagree with an authority (parent, law, boss, priest, e.g.), how do you handle that problem?
17. Under what circumstances will you do what someone says to do even though you disagree with him?