Date of Completion

12-1996

Document Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

John R. Murray

Second Advisor

Jonathan Cooper-Wiele

Third Advisor

Arthur Millman

Abstract

In this thesis I explore some of the ways in which critical thinking skills can be used to facilitate the development of integrity in business organizations. The vehicle I have developed to bring these thinking skills to organizations is a one-day intensive workshop with a follow-up half-day evaluation session. In chapter one, I define integrity and compare it to Stephen Carter's definition. I also analyze five specific critical thinking skills and relate them to two actual cases: Dow Corning and fictitiously named, First National Bank. In the Dow Corning case, I argue that management might have produced a less destructive outcome had they used critical thinking skills to analyze their problems and come to a resolution. In the second case, with First National Bank, I discuss how the bank managers successfully used critical thinking skills to arrive at an ethical decision. In chapter two, I present the workshop which is designed to develop critical thinking skills and enhance integrity. The last part of the chapter is concerned with evaluating and reinforcing the skills developed in the workshop. In chapter three, I integrate the material from the first two chapters. I review Carter's definition of integrity and examine it in light of the five critical thinking skills, the workshop skills and the Dow Coming and First National cases. Those who read this thesis should come away with a clear idea of some ways in which critical thinking can facilitate the development of integrity in business organizations.

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