Week/Module 1 Lecture: Critical Thinking Skill: Parts-to-Whole Thinking Why are Parts Important? Think about all the things that are around you right now, this instance. All of those things are made up of parts, sometimes a few (like the pencil beside me on the desk) and sometimes many, many parts (like the computer I m typing on). Notice, too, the fingers that are doing the typing they re made up of parts. And beyond where you re sitting and reading this, there are many other natural objects that are made up of many interlocking parts: the tree outside the window, the squirrel climbing on the tree, the clouds above, the air itself, the jet fighter screaming across the sky, and beyond that the solar system, galaxies, and the universe. All of it is made up of smaller parts that fit together to make the whole. Interesting, huh? But not only manmade and natural objects are made up of parts. Abstract concepts have parts, too. Stories, movies, societies, religions all have component parts. In the next class, we re going to look at Arguments, and find out that they, too, are made up of parts. But what s important about knowing the parts? Well, if the parts were put together in a different way, something different would result. Change one item in a recipe and you change the taste of the meal, right? You bet. So within objects and ideas there exists a special relationship between the parts and the whole that makes the whole object what it is, that permits it to function the way it does. Consequently, to understand something, you really need to understand its parts and their relationships to the whole. Is Understanding Parts to Whole worth the trouble? Yes. Understanding how each part contributes to the whole and how each part functions helps us to understand the world around us. That means that if the whole is goofed up say, the soup you cooked for dinner tastes funny then you are able to look at the parts and figure out which one contributed to that funny taste. Or, in a larger context, if your relationship with your spouse isn t working well, by knowing the parts of a relationship, you can break it down and figure out what part needs to be fixed. An Exercise to prove to you how important Parts to Whole is. Let s say you have a sixteen year old kid, a boy, and you know something is going wrong with him. He s not the sweet, thoughtful goofball he was two years ago. You re his parent; you have to do something or at least try something to get him back on track, because in our world, a sixteen year old boy faces a lot of dangers ahead.
Okay, so what do you do? If you re an organized thinker, trained by the skilled teachers at St. Philip s College, you have the skills to analyze the problem. You simply get out a pencil and paper and break your kid down into parts. What parts are there to this sixteen year old boy? I m gonna list some general parts that I can think of right now, but you can probably think of other, better parts. Here s my free writing list of a kid s parts: personality appearance family history personal history inherited traits spiritual life religious activity physical abilities athleticism? mental abilities attitude toward life how he greets the day bad habits drugs, attraction to bad girls, etc good habits things that might get him out of trouble friends relationships with parents, siblings, etc school history values heroes who he admires dressing habits health talents, gifts
sense of humor Can you think of some other parts that I ve missed? Probably you can, and I ll probably think of some other ones later today. But I have a list of parts, and next I can begin to check out my kid s parts, find out what s going on and what s gone wrong. Maybe then I will be able to figure out how best to help him back onto the path. Will methodical thinking like this solve all your problems? No. But it will sure increase your success rate. Think about it.... What can go wrong with thinking about Parts to Whole? According to people who study Parts to Whole thinking and yes, there actually are people who study this there are three common problems with Parts to Whole thinking. 1. Hasty and superficial. Sometimes people identify parts only by their physical appearance. They look at a microwave oven, and the only parts they can come up with are the door, the opening, the cabinet, and so forth. If we only identify the parts by appearance, we lose a great deal of our possible understanding of the thing. 2. Narrow. Another problem with parts to whole thinking is when we fail to break down one part into its many components. For example, in my list of parts of a sixteen year old kid, I put down personality. What the heck is that? Can t we break that down into smaller parts? Surely, personality can or should include attitude toward life as well as values and maybe even spirituality as well as dressing habits. So to avoid being narrow and vague, I m gonna reconsider my part called personality and try to come up with the many sub-parts that make up personality. See what I mean? 3. Scattered. The third problem is really the big one, and that is not trying to identify who all of the parts are connected. If you just randomly think about the parts of the chair you re sitting in now, making a scattered list of components, then your list won t reflect the totality, the intricate relationship between the chair s back and its arms, they way they are connected and depend upon each other for strength and stability. In our parts to whole thinking, we have to try to connect the parts together, figure out how it all fits and functions.
Parts to Whole Thinking Map 1. What smaller things make up the whole? Make a list; identify as many parts as possible, describing them or defining what you mean. 2. For each part, what would happen if it were different, malfunctioning, or missing? Consider each part and ask this question: What would happen if this part were missing, different, or malfunctioning? 3. What then is the function of each paper, its relative importance to the whole? Knowing now what would happen if each part were missing, you can figure out what are the really important parts. 4. How do all the parts work together to make the whole what it is or operate as it does? Now you can figure understand on a deeper level why something is or acts the way it does. Here s a example of a pretty good student Thinking Map. Thinking Map 1.What smaller things make up the whole? Spiritual life Christianity Personal history Never forget where I m from Artist believes that art is emotional expression that words can t express
Extreme Sport Skateboarding is a way of life not just a sport Relationship Parents, Siblings and Friends Professional pride in the US Army Personal history Never forget where I m from Sense of humor laughter is the best medicine in the world Enthusiasm positive mental attitude Appearance- you only have one first impression 2. For each part, what would happen if it were missing? Spiritual life With out the basis of Christianity instilled in me I would not have the basic foundation to live my life in the most positive and product way. Personal history Born in the Philippines and moved to the USA when I was nine years old; keeps me humble and grateful for my blessing Artist with out this form of expression, I would not know how to communicate with the world, when words fails me. Extreme Sport Skateboarding has always been the outlet of emotional therapy, this helps me in more ways than one. The ability to defy gravity and manipulate the boards in many ways and still land on all four wheels is so exhilarating. Relationship Having a great relationship with my family members and close friends are very important because they are the group that keeps me humble and grounded in time Professional I take a lot of pride in my service in the US Army. I feel that this is my way of thanking a country that took me in and loved me like their, own son. Not serving would be so shameful. Values with out the LDRSHP Values that is instilled in me by the military I would have a negative outlook on life Sense of humor take laughter away from my life; would lead to no hope. Enthusiasm I would be depressed with out it Appearance-My confidence would be down 3. What then is the function of each paper, its importance to the whole? Spiritual life Christianity, take this foundation out of my life and eternal hell would be my future. Artist without this form of expression, I would not know how to communicate with the world, when words fail me. Relationship without a good relationship with my family and friends I would feel like a lost soul out of place. Values without loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage would lead to self destruction. 4. How do all the parts work together to make the whole what it is or operate as it does?
Spiritual life is the foundation of who I am and how I live daily. My relationship with my friends and family are valuable because they are the core group of people that keeps me grounded in life. The L.D.R.S.H.I.P is an acronym of the values the Army has taught me to live by. Art, any form, has always been a way to escape reality and express my feelings.