This week’s assignment is based around Errol Morris’s article, “The Anosognosic’s Dilemma”. A quick Google search will tell you that Anosognosia is a condition in which a person who suffers disability seems unaware of the existence of his or her disability. In the context of the article, this is somebody too stupid to realize how incompetent they actually are.
This applies to grammar and logic, among other fields. Unless told we’re not good at these things by other people, our natural inclination is to base our views by our wishes and fears. This means we can trick ourselves into thinking we’re capable of more than truly are, because we lack the ability to see our own limitations.
This self-deception doesn’t make somebody dishonest, it only implies that they lack critical thinking skills, and even lack the critical thinking skills to realize that they lack critical thinking skills. Critical thinking does not necessarily reflect on intelligence; this has to be developed like any other skill. There are plenty of intelligent people that go to Ivy League schools, assume high-ranking positions, and never take into account that they might be out of their element. You need to be able to think critically in this major. Why? Because it’s so very open ended. Sometimes I describe this major as a more focused liberal arts degree, that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the arts. This is kind of a terribly vague description, but I only intend to illustrate the freedom that comes with such a degree. With the exception of your General Education requirements and some other pre-requisites, you can take almost anything you want.
This means you have to decide not just which classes you want to take, but how they will greater serve your education. More often than not, a disciplinary view can lead to tunnel vision and bias, while it is the duty of an interdisciplinarian to integrate multiple perspectives to solve difficult problems.
There are many real world applications you can take away from this article, but for me it’s to try to not get complacent in my own set of beliefs. For example, I was at the Burger King today, getting a veggie burger, and I thought I asked for no tomatoes. Now, I believe with all my heart that I asked for no tomatoes. But I also know that I was staring at the Peach Granola Sundae dessert on the menu when I was placing my order, and that my mind was not focused on placing my order. I’ve also worked at a fast food chain, and have discovered firsthand that the customer is not always right, despite what employees are forced to tell you.
Critical thinking is about being open to the idea that you might be wrong, and that only through logic and reasoning can determine whether you are or not. That being said, not getting angry over a order mix-up is not a strong example of critical thinking, but a healthy sense of doubt can make the world a less abrasive place, and skepticism can be the foundation for new ideas.
Your Assignment: After reading this article explore the advantages of interdisciplinary degree.
• How this can apply to the interdisciplinary model?
• Do you find the Dunning -Kruger effect (being Unskilled and Unaware of It) depressing or not? Why do you think we have self-deception?
• What insights have you gained from this reading?
• How can you apply this to 'real' life situations?
• Do you think it requires critical thinking to effectively explain the degree, the advantages this degree brings to the table (vs. disciplinary degree), how/why you chose this path?
Ok before I make any comments it must be stated that I still cannot get over the lemon juice thing... SERIOUSLY... Lemon Juice... that goes beyond stupidity thats just someone who is blind to the truth... Just like the article suggests. Their own ignorance has blinded them from the simplistic truth that could have been found by just using basic common sense.
ReplyDeleteNow to answer the questions:
• How this can apply to the interdisciplinary model?
Personally, I think that this concept can apply itself to the interdisciplinary model very strong and apply itself a strong bond; because as with interdisciplinary studies you are forced to gather two or more fields of study to bring one cohesive concept, the same would have to work here in order to bring yourself into the 'known known' (if there is such a thing.)
• Do you find the Dunning -Kruger effect (being Unskilled and Unaware of It) depressing or not? Why do you think we have self-deception?
Depressing??? NOT AT ALL.. I think there are somethings that we as humans are not to know about and we will always be in a position where we are in an 'unknown unknown' state... simply because its not to be known by mankind. Yes there are things that we are constantly figuring out daily but who is to say that there may be somethings that we will never figure out.. I am cool with that. I feel that people should be too. Seek out knowledge and become better, but also know your PRESENT limitations and accept that.
• What insights have you gained from this reading?
Unknown unknown - a concept that we all have to accept to be reality and be comfortable with that and allow that knowledge to make you a better man. It is a great man who knows where their genius starts and stops.
• How can you apply this to 'real' life situations?
Knowing where your limitations are... I know that I am not an IT whiz. I don't try to be and I know that. There are quite a few things that I don't know about a lot of everyday living things... I dont have a problem acknowledging that and I feel that if I need to know it, ask. I am a better man for it.
• Do you think it requires critical thinking to effectively explain the degree, the advantages this degree brings to the table (vs. disciplinary degree), how/why you chose this path?
I think it does. Honestly when I first chose this degree I thought well, maybe it will be an easy way out to get my degree but I am realizing daily that it is way more than that... This degree is forcing me to channel all of what I currently do as a professional in one method so that all of my decisions will be educated and not just made rationally or emotionally.
I felt the same way when I read about the lemon juice, pretty unbelievable. You seem to have a pretty good grasp about how this relates to your IDS degree (though I don't think "known knowns" is a real thing). I think it's good you've come to accept unknown unknowns, as this was the view of Socrates. To paraphrase his idea from an Operation Ivy song "all I know is that I don't know." I have no way of knowing, for example, that you see the color blue as the same color I do. We can agree on what's blue, but we have no way of knowing anybody's perception of the color except our own. How has this exercise helped you integrate and understand how your specific areas/interests relate? What is your profession?
ReplyDeleteTHATS SO FUNNY... I think about that color thing ALLLLLLLL of the time... So ironic that you said that.
DeleteThis exercise taught me the importance of intermingling the idea of my art and communications.
I am a graphic Designer and a publisher.
@Joshua
DeleteThe exact ideas of Socrates is what I basically used when answering the questions for this blog. I have always been an admirer of his since his thoughts and ideas have been close to mine, except though his chauvinist view of women.. I personally like women. =)
In order for an individual to bring themselves into the “known” one must have the ability to explore all avenues (thoughts) necessary for completion of the goal.
ReplyDeleteI do not find this effect to be depressing or not, just sad. One will never understand their boundaries until they are tested. A person can’t honestly say “I can’t do that” unless they have completely explored all thought. Self deception is nothing more than an excuse not to do something.
The only insight I’ve gained is the sad commentary that people will use excuses or made up terms to justify their lack of accomplishment.
I think it’s important to never be satisfied, to always attack any area you’re not accomplished in. There is always time and an abundance of resources to assure one is always learning. Even after landing ones “dream job” complacency may set in.
Critical thinking isn’t needed to explain an interdisciplinary degree. It is a path, just as any other discipline.
The beauty of the interdisciplinary studies degree in regard to the concept of the Dunning –Kruger theory is that it avoids the concept of tunnel vision. What I mean by this is that instead of getting bogged down into one field of study the student is able to diversify their talents and knowledge. Overall the Dunning – Kruger theory is to me not depressing in the least because it remains for me another face of skepticism and self-doubt. These notions have been held over history in the model of the so called “village idiot” that would be ridiculed as the robber figure was in the article. Applying this to real life situations is as simple as making sure someone uses critical thinking in everyday life and makes sure not to make oversights. To explain our degree in itself does in fact take a measurable amount of critical thinking because of its cross disciplinary roots.
Delete@Thomas
DeleteYou're exactly right when saying that critical thinking is a path in itself rather than just a way for our purposes in these classes to justify what interdisciplinary studies is. We must integrate critical thinking to our lives overall for everything, so as to not allow ourselves to be bogged down by incompetency.
Thomas, what you said about a person never actually being able to say "I can't do that" really got me thinking. You're absolutley right in thinking this way. You seem to be more of an optimist go getter from what I've read here. I can agree with you that if you've never tested yourself you'll never know where you truly stand. It's possible just that in trying something you once thought you were terrible at that you'll find you're actually quite talented in that area. So let me ask you, when you say one may eventually find complacency in their dream job, do you feel the same way? And what is your dream job?
DeleteIm honest when i say my dream job could be several things. However if said job didn't allow for the things that are important to me i wouldn't be content. I like being productive, creative, challenged, but i prefer to be those things on my time. I've had success and financial reward and been miserable because ultimately i was doing things for someone else, on their time. I certainly found myself to be complacent, hence returning to school, earning just above the national poverty average, and ultimately being happier with life in general. Whats most important is that people try new things... This summer im traveling to Alaska for 6 weeks, working on a salmon fishing boat, staying in a cabin with no electricity or running water. Not the most ideal living situation. I might hate it. But then again maybe ill fall i love and stay for a bit. For me the satisfaction is knowing i tried something new, "out of the norm"
DeleteThe lemon juice thing is pretty unbelievable!! I think it definately proves the point that if you are incompetant, you are incompetant about being incompetant. i think it applies to interdisciplinary studies with the known, known. i dont know if i would say that it is depressing but it is definately strange. however, if i was unskilled i dont think i would want to be constantly aware of it. i think that self- deception is like a survival mechanism. i think that this applies to real life by knowing what you are and are not capable of.
ReplyDelete@ Taylor
DeleteI agree about what you said Taylor about how if you were unskilled you wouldn't want to constantly be reminded of it. Honestly, I wouldn't want to have it shoved in my face day after day either. It's interesting that you see self-deception as a survival mechanism. I guess that is one way of looking at it. Have you ever found yourself not wanting to try something because you just feel you'll be terrible at it? For example, changing your oil. You may or may not know how to do this but if you feel you can't and never try how will you know? So even though one may know what they are and aren't capable of, do you think we should push our own limits? Should we dare to try new things?
I think that the lemon juice story is pretty ridiculous but, it was funny that someone actually thought that lemon juice would disguise them . I guess if you were completely obliviously to things; not having knowledge of anything or of just one single thing than things like this could/would happen. To me reading this article was not depressing in any way actually it gave me insight on what I need to work on. For example, If I have no knowledge about a certain topic or thing I should research before coming into any sort of conclusion. This is why I believe interdisciplinary studies is a great degree. It allows me to study and further my knowledge on more than just one disciplinary.
ReplyDelete@Jessica
DeleteI love how everyone is reacting to the lemon story! I personally was astonished when I read it, I had to re-read it just to believe it! I think it's great that reading this article led you to self insight. It's always a plus when you get to look within and find new ways of how to improve your skills. Reading and learning about new subjects and areas is exactly what being an Interdisciplinarian is all about. We need to always remember that learning more will always come in handy. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you just aren't fully educated and had to learn more about it? In my new job I've realized that learning new things will be a constant. Being a major in this degree means you're always learning something new!
I had to publish two different posts because I wrote too much, so this is the first half. The second half answers the other questions in order.
ReplyDeleteThis article can be attributed to the Interdisciplinary model in that critical thinking is the essential core of interdisciplinary studies, and critical thinking is what certain people lack that results in them not recognizing the fact that they are incompetent. Incompetency leads to the failure of self-actualization and incompetency itself altogether.
Whether or not the Dunning-Kruger effect is depressing is a matter of perspective. It wouldn't be the case for he or she that fails to come to terms with their own reality and incompetency, for they are not aware of the fact that they are so, therefore how could they possibly be depressed over their unfortunate circumstances when they do not understand the circumstances in the first place. Yet for someone in my position that can observe this phenomenon it is depressing since I have to come to terms with the fact that much of humanity lives within the "dark ages" of their own minds in a world of seemingly "enlightenment". Yet this very thought is an illusion as well, because I am not higher than others and should not be depressed over the thought that I think I am, because at the end of the day we all may very well know nothing of our being and existence. We surely have "known unknowns", but these were once "unknown unknowns" themselves at a certain point; we can now recognize the question to something but still cannot comprehend the answer. My point is that only humans have the abstract thought possible to even superimpose such notions of reality and "what we know", but do we truly know what we know? Take mathematics for example. A concrete and undeniable idea that is, without a doubt, factual. Yet what established this human notion of mathematics in the first place? In my opinion mathematics is fact based upon inference and belief rather than truth. It is simply a system derived by humanity to make sense of what we do not understand. But if you were to add two plus two, you would get four. Why does two and two equal four? In our reality this equation is undeniable, but in another it could very well be that our idea of three could be a two, and in a sense three plus three might as well and could be equal to four. We know what we know based on how we deem what truth and reality are, therefore self-deception is an essential make-up of all humanity. At the grand scheme of things, we are all vulnerable to the uncontrollable aspects of the universe, one's in which human nature attempts to control through reasoning and logic, which are again our ideas only, not truth. We have based our thoughts and lives on sensation rather than perception, and even our perceptions have been based on these sensations, so we can never really understand anything. Our failure to be above what we set our minds to and our "incompetent" restrictions of our minds, I believe, prevent all of us to not be "incompetent". In a sense, we all have "Anosognosic’s", therefore I cannot judge others and be depressed over our own inevitability of incompetency. Stupidity however, is an entirely different story, and I think that's what the article is really referring to, and I am not stupid, so in that sense, yes, I am depressed when seeing others and humanity's stupidity.
Any insight I gained would be that all of this is really a continuous cycle of philosophical nonsense that only we can conceive, and that we must allow ourselves to be at the whim of reality and what it is that we can live by and do our bests to do so.
ReplyDeleteThis article can be applied to "real" life situations because as the article suggests, we must come to terms with our limits and capacities in order to develop some form of intelligence.
The interdisciplinary degree absolutely requires critical thinking. One cannot simply study two fields with this degree, and leave it at that. You need to integrate the two and create a synthesis in order to have an overall worldly understanding of your areas of focus. This process itself offers a much more varied and beneficial way to study and learn rather than simply taking one disciplinary degree.
@Giancarlo
DeleteI see what you mean when you brought up the point of what do we as humans really know. Math was a great way to describe this. ONe of your classmates above spoke about color and how we and other perceive it. This idea is similar to what you mean. We don't really know what we know. We know what we think and what society has deemed as factual. However these factual assumptions if you will are what we as a society live by. So even though three plus three may be four somewhere else in this wide universe how will we ever know? I think these thoughts are what keep society moving forward. We want to keep discovering concrete factual information and in the process we are fortunate enough to learn so much more. We see our degree in play when we think this way. When we think of different ways of attacking certain ideas or statements we are in fact practicing interdisciplinary studies. As you stated above integration is key for this degree. How do your focus areas and minor integrate with one another?
@Alexandra
DeleteMy two areas of focus are humanities and behavioral and social sciences, and a minor in art history. Simply put, humanities and art history go hand in hand and flow together quite smoothly, and my study in behavioral and social studies brings it all in together as you gain an overall understanding of the human mind and behavior behind history, and in my case artistic achievements throughout history.