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Explore/Philosophy/Virtue and attention

What changes when we pay closer attention?

Moral judgment can depend on how a situation and its people are described.

PhilosophyTopic · Selected readingSome background helpful
Background and goal

Try the short introduction first, or bring equivalent reading experience. Obtain the specified text before beginning the longer reading.

Describe one decision twice, once by rule and once by attention to the people involved. Explain what each reveals.

Useful preparation

Start here if the background is new. Equivalent experience is enough.

Your pathway

5 steps · 14 hours
  1. 01

    Locate the reading

    0.25h · week 1
    Reading notes and task
    First fifteen minutesCheck the edition or article version and locate the passages below. Write the question you want the reading to resolve.
    Your outputEdition and passage record
  2. 02

    Study the opening

    4h · week 1
    Critical Thinking

    David Hitchcock · reference

    Study examples of critical inquiry; contrast your descriptions using the distinction between reasons and impressions

    Free full text

    Open the reading
    Reading notes and task

    Critical Thinking. Moral judgment can depend on how a situation and its people are described.

    Try thisRead Study examples of critical inquiry; contrast your descriptions using the distinction between reasons and impressions. Reconstruct the central argument using premises and a conclusion.
    Your outputArgument reconstruction
    Check your understanding

    Answer this question in your own words: What changes when we pay closer attention?

    Hint

    Name the claim, then explain why a reader might accept it.

    Compare with an example answer

    Moral judgment can depend on how a situation and its people are described.

    What to look for

    • States a claim that addresses the question
    • Connects the claim to a passage or observation
    • Separates the author’s argument from personal agreement

    Common mistake: Summarising a biography instead of explaining the argument.

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  3. 03

    Read for contrast

    5h · week 2
    Critical Thinking

    David Hitchcock · reference

    Study examples of critical inquiry; contrast your descriptions using the distinction between reasons and impressions

    Free full text

    Open the reading
    Reading notes and task

    Critical Thinking. Moral judgment can depend on how a situation and its people are described.

    Try thisRead Study examples of critical inquiry; contrast your descriptions using the distinction between reasons and impressions. Compare two passages that put pressure on your initial interpretation.
    Your outputTwo-passage comparison
  4. 04

    Develop an example

    3h · week 3
    Reading notes and task
    Try thisDescribe one decision twice, once by rule and once by attention to the people involved. Explain what each reveals.
    Your outputWorked example
    Check your understanding

    What would make your activity a convincing example?

    Hint

    Describe one decision twice, once by rule and once by attention to the people involved. Explain what each reveals.

    Compare with an example answer

    A useful response carries out the task: Describe one decision twice, once by rule and once by attention to the people involved. Explain what each reveals. It records the observation or passage used and explains how it bears on the question.

    What to look for

    • Completes the specific task
    • Shows evidence or reasoning rather than only a conclusion
    • Identifies an alternative explanation or reading

    Common mistake: Presenting an opinion without showing the example it rests on.

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  5. 05

    Write a considered response

    1.75h · week 4
    Reading notes and task
    Try thisWrite a response to “What changes when we pay closer attention?” that uses both passages and tests its own conclusion. Attention can change a judgment without proving that the new judgment is correct.
    Your outputReasoned response with references
    Check your understanding

    What is one conclusion this reading does not establish?

    Hint

    Test the boundary: Attention can change a judgment without proving that the new judgment is correct.

    Compare with an example answer

    Attention can change a judgment without proving that the new judgment is correct.

    What to look for

    • States a specific limit
    • Explains why the reading does not warrant the stronger conclusion
    • Distinguishes a limitation from dismissing the work

    Common mistake: Treating a useful interpretation as an unrestricted fact.

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All 1 resources

Background, different viewpoints, and further reading.

  • Critical Thinking

    David Hitchcockreferencecore

    Moral judgment can depend on how a situation and its people are described.

    Study examples of critical inquiry; contrast your descriptions using the distinction between reasons and impressions