Reasoning Strategies: Comparative, Ideological, Empirical Analysis

This essay examines three forms of reasoning: comparative, ideological, and empirical. It explores the strengths and weaknesses of each, emphasizing that comparative reasoning aids in objective analysis and decision-making by establishing standards. Ideological reasoning provides meaning and addresses novel situations, but is subject to diverse interpretations. Empirical reasoning, grounded in data and verifiability, is favored due to its potential for self-correction and scientific validation, as exemplified by experiments. The essay highlights that while empirical reasoning is prone to bias, it is the most valuable form because it allows for verifiable information. The author provides an example of a metal reactivity experiment to illustrate empirical reasoning's practical application. Overall, the essay advocates for empirical reasoning's importance in critical thinking and decision making processes.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
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Critical Thinking 1
Majorly, there are three types of reasoning. Namely comparative, empirical and ideological
forms of reasoning. Worth noting, an ideological form of reasoning thrives on deductive
reasoning and is influenced by axioms, beliefs, convictions or principles among others.
Basically, empirical reasons imply a type of reasoning used to explain, predict or control certain
outcomes. Usually, empirical reasoning is science-based unlike the ideological form of
reasoning. Overall, empirical form of reasoning is more verifiable due to its scientific nature
hence more valuable.
Noteworthy, comparative reasoning enables objectivity to be achieved during an analysis.
Through this form of reasoning, standards are set thus making it easy to make an informed
choice. Under this reasoning, two or more things are evaluated against each other thus making it
easier for the decision making process. Also, comparative reasoning offers some form of
interpretation unlike the ideological form of reasoning. However, the risk of setting wrong
standards exist in comparative reasoning in case wrong items are compared against each other.
Under ideological reasoning, persons are able to have meaning in their lives due to the
belief in various ideals and values. Also, ideological reasoning is responsible for providing
identity and plays a key role in addressing novel situations. However, the ideological form of
reasoning is based on persuasion. Also, ideological reasoning is subject to diversity owing to the
fact that different groups of people have different beliefs and assumptions. The existence of
diverse ideologies leads to different interpretations and assumptions of the same ideologies.
Noteworthy, empirical reasoning is praised due to the fact that it can be proved thus making
empirical reasoning certain as contrasted with ideological reasoning. Unlike ideological forms of
reasoning, empirical reasoning is based on data hence it is verifiable. However, empirical
reasoning is susceptible to bias hence not the best approach to reasoning. In the event, that

Critical Thinking 2
gathering and analyzation of empirical data are compromised this will lead to biased rather than
an objective outcome. Empirical reasoning is prone to bias hence limiting its effectiveness.
Of the three forms of reasoning, I consider empirical reasoning as the most valuable.
This is because empirical reasoning is subject to induction and verifiability, unlike ideological
reasoning. For empirical reasoning is possible to obtain verifiable information. For instance,
through empirical reasoning, personal experiences are used to affirm or dispel a certain way of
human conduct. Also, empirical reasoning provides room for self-correctness.
A case in point of empirical reasoning is scientific-based studies such as biology and
chemistry experiments. For instance, to find the most reactive metal to any liquid, I will
assemble metals and test them individually with the liquid and then from the observations, I l
make the findings of the experiment. Empirically, I would have to subject the same amount of
metal same quantity of liquid used for testing and place the reactants under the same temperature
or conditions. After which I will observe and record the findings. Overall, empirical form of
reasoning is the better option.