Forest from the Trees Analysis
Dear Sorority Girl,
As humans, it is in our nature to view things simplistically. Most of us participate in day-to-day events single-mindedly. We are much too wrapped up what we are doing to take a step back and recognize the greater picture. We fail to notice the impact of the social systems that constantly surround us. The systems that we associate with are much bigger than ourselves. In fact, they define who we are not only as individuals, but also as part of a society. Allan Johnson, author of The Forest and the Trees, does an incredible job of investigating on the importance of looking at society through an outside lens; taking a step back and analyzing the social systems we are all involved in. He shows that in doing so, we are able to learn more about the world and our lives involved within it. Sociology is simply the study of society. On the surface, this seems like a very straightforward topic. Sociology has a substantial impact on those who are learning about it because it involves a lot of critical thinking. Critical thinking is the attempt to step outside of our ideologies and make reflective, logic-based judgments (McGinn 2011). Basically, critical thinking forces us to step outside of our single-minded viewpoints and assess situations in which we often experience not simply based on our beliefs, attitudes, and opinions but as something much greater. There are many circumstances in which we must think critically. Take rushing a sorority as a great example. It is important to not just choose a house that you want to be in based on your own beliefs. You also must take into consideration other important factors such as location of the house, the possible new sisters who are already members, the status of the sorority among others to help make the right, most logical decision. But, before one you can decide which house to live in they you have to investigate and must know about the culture of all the houses.
Johnson (2008) feels that every social
As humans, it is in our nature to view things simplistically. Most of us participate in day-to-day events single-mindedly. We are much too wrapped up what we are doing to take a step back and recognize the greater picture. We fail to notice the impact of the social systems that constantly surround us. The systems that we associate with are much bigger than ourselves. In fact, they define who we are not only as individuals, but also as part of a society. Allan Johnson, author of The Forest and the Trees, does an incredible job of investigating on the importance of looking at society through an outside lens; taking a step back and analyzing the social systems we are all involved in. He shows that in doing so, we are able to learn more about the world and our lives involved within it. Sociology is simply the study of society. On the surface, this seems like a very straightforward topic. Sociology has a substantial impact on those who are learning about it because it involves a lot of critical thinking. Critical thinking is the attempt to step outside of our ideologies and make reflective, logic-based judgments (McGinn 2011). Basically, critical thinking forces us to step outside of our single-minded viewpoints and assess situations in which we often experience not simply based on our beliefs, attitudes, and opinions but as something much greater. There are many circumstances in which we must think critically. Take rushing a sorority as a great example. It is important to not just choose a house that you want to be in based on your own beliefs. You also must take into consideration other important factors such as location of the house, the possible new sisters who are already members, the status of the sorority among others to help make the right, most logical decision. But, before one you can decide which house to live in they you have to investigate and must know about the culture of all the houses.
Johnson (2008) feels that every social
Cited: Johnson, Allan G. 2008. The Forest and the Trees. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press. Miller, Steve. 2006. “African Americans Are Thriving Economically.” At Issue: Is the Gap Between the Rich and Poor Growing? Orfield, Gary. 2007. “Affirmative-Action Programs Are Necessary.” Opposing Viewpoints: Discrimination. APPLYING THE FOREST AND THE TREES