Critical Thinking The Constant Gardener - 1896 Words

Critical thinking essentially refers to an evaluative and purposive means of arriving at judgments (Stratton, 43). Moreover, critical thinking is the application of reason and reflection in order to form judgments by assessing or evaluating ideas, values, topics or themes, and perspectives (Mason, 4). Our main objective in exploring critical thinking in this research discussion is to apply concepts in the analysis of a character from a film. The succeeding discussion is an analysis of Tessa, a character from the film The Constant Gardener using concepts of heuristics, Systems 1 and 2 thinking, and logical fallacies. In the film, Tessa displays critical thinking in the way that she makes plans to accomplish her goals and objectives but†¦show more content†¦Although Tessa reached out to a British officer to reveal the evidences she uncovered, the latter was part of the conspiracy. Due to the depth of Tessa’s knowledge about the issue, higher officials had her murdered. Characterization Tessa is an activist and a humanitarian who is passionate about various causes including the rights and wellbeing of poor people in Kenya. Tessa’s ideology is one of the reasons why she chose to expose the pharmaceutical company. In terms of concepts in critical thinking, Tessa’s activism reflects idealism or ideological thinking. Idealism is an important concept because it illustrates the major factor that influences Tessa’s way of thinking (Benton, McShane, Drage, 214). Tessa’s ideals influence how she sees reality, and therefore, how she thinks critically and makes sense of ideas and situations, and makes or forms judgments. Tessa is also a likeable character particularly to her colleagues and the patients she works with in Kenya. She is admired by many because of her caring, cheery, and generous personality. Tessa relates well to the underprivileged and oppressed. She displays a sense of empathy, which motivates her to fight for those who were victimi zed by the pharmaceutical company. Tessa does not get along with wealthy and influential people, however, because they are the ones behind corporations and governments that take advantage of the poor. Tessa’s strong