Philosophy’s David Godden to lead Jan. 22 Provost’s Conversation

January 15, 2015

David Godden

What happens when we value our own opinions more than we value the differing views of others?

In his upcoming Provost's Conversation on Teaching and Learning, "Teaching Critical Thinking through Rational Entitlement and Responsibility", David Godden, assistant professor of philosophy, will explore that question as he leads a learning exercise that, he says, can be used in any classroom to introduce the core value of rational responsibility found at the heart of all critical thinking.

Godden's Provost's Conversation will be offered on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Learning Commons@Perry Library. It is open to all in the ODU community.

Godden believes students most often enter classrooms with an awareness of alternative viewpoints, but with an inability to engage differing opinions or to take a critical attitude toward their own views. Through an "ambiguity of entitlement", they are encouraged to view everyone as being entitled to his/her opinion - that all opinions count equally.

The exercise he will share is designed to show that, by valuing our own opinions above the differing opinions of others, we claim a special entitlement - rational entitlement - to our own views. This, in turn, helps students strengthen their critical thinking skills.

Over the years, Provost's Conversations on Teaching and Learning Series have included more than 60 outstanding ODU faculty members on a variety of topics. You can review past conversations at this website: http://clt.odu.edu/pctl/archives.