The nature of logic as it relates to critical thinking is a process. Logic is defined as a science that deals with the rules and tests sound thinking and proof by reasoning (The Merriam Webster Dictionary, 1998). It involves perception, assumption, emotion, language, argument, logic, and fallacies. Logic is a key component of critical thinking and without there can be no critical thought. In addition, perception ties into logic and critical thinking because it incorporates clarification and understanding. The perceptual process uses steps to provide better understanding to how you may perceive things. The way people perceive things can be similar, but most often it is very different. Many different things have an effect on the way you perceive things and the way that you think about situations critically.
For example, Kirby & Goodpaster (1999) state:
Who we are is how we think. Where and how we were raised may determine whether we are pessimists or optimists, conservatives or liberals, atheists or theists, idealists or realists. Our upbringing shapes our fears, which keep us from facing thoughts. It shapes our self-concept, which moves us to defend our thoughts. And it shapes our emotions, which can distort our thinking to an exceptional degree. In this and in other ways our psychological world, shaped by our exposure to cultural and genetic forces, often acts as a barrier to sound thinking" (pp. 1-2)
The environment I was raised in was traditional in some aspects and shaped how I perceived the world. It also shaped my emotions and how I felt the world should work, not to mention how people behave. For example, respect was a huge issue when I was growing up. When you came across an adult, you had to say, "Yes sir" or "Yes Ma'am". If you did not then you would face consequences. Usually that was in the form of a whipping, slap to the face, or some sort of physical redirection to deter you from making that mistake again. Respect...
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