DA4710 Critical Thinking and Ethical Decision Making

This course explores both the contemporary and classical frameworks used to define effective ethical leadership and decision making. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking and decision making skills, the recognition of logical fallacies, and the analysis of both civilian and military case studies, and the exploration of current ethical issues. Readings for this course span classical selections from such writers as Plato, Rousseau, Kant and Mill through contemporary papers from the 1996-'97 Joint Services Conferences on Professional Ethics. Prerequisite: None.

Lecture Hours

Lab Hours

Course Learning Outcomes

Further develop critical reasoning, thinking, and decision-making skills.
Ability to read critically and determine the bias and/or validity of what one reads.
Further understanding of classical ethical theories, and contemporary analysis and application of those theories to both the military and society at large.
Develop ability to support analyses in discussion with responsible reasoning and specific reference to the text.
Develop the ability to apply moral frameworks, heuristics, and ethical considerations to decision making and analysis of past decisions.
Improve the ability to identify individual and organizational biases.
Further an appreciation for the interconnectedness and complexity of decision making at increasing scopes and scales (i.e. tactical vs. strategic).