Reason

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/reason

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the cognitive faculty?The capacity for conscious, logical thought and inference, aimed at seeking truth
2. What is the human differentiator?Considered a defining characteristic of Homo sapiens, underpinning complex societal structures
3. How does reason help us in science?Reason helps scientists discover new things by using logic to test ideas and understand the world.
4. Why is reason important for making good choices?Reason lets us think about our beliefs and goals, so we can choose what we want to do and feel responsible for our actions.

Discursive Reasoning: Logical, step-by-step thinking that moves from one idea to another through argumentation.
Intuitive Reasoning: A less formal, often subconscious, cognitive process leading to insights or conclusions.
Self-Determination: The capacity for individuals to make their own informed, conscious choices about their lives.