Engineering Perspective: Importance of Critical Thinking in The Development of The Society

Engineering Perspective: Importance of Critical Thinking in the
Development of the Society
Reflection by Louie C. Juera
Introduction
Critical thinking outdoes the constraints of the problem. In answering
problems using critical thinking, always follow the concept of reading between
the lines. The exercise on the border and the four letters taught me to go beyond
what my previous knowledge dictated. My decision for choosing a letter as an
answer was based on my knowledge about lines, curves, and areas between the
lines. However, these concepts had been in my mind for decades. Thus, it
hindered my ability to think critically. One must empty his previous knowledge
to obtain wisdom.
Development in Electronics Engineering
In this era, technology evolves as the speed of light. Computers from about
20 years ago are only available in universities for researches. The early
computing machine like what Alan Turing invented to decipher the Nazi's code
had big dimensions and cannot be put at the top of the table. However, with the
advent of today's technology, computing capabilities can even be done in a
laptop.
One of the reasons for this development is the evolution of electronic
semiconductor devices. Decades ago, a transistor can be as big as mineral water
dispenser with a gallon of water. In the present, millions of transistors are
already embedded in an integrated circuit (IC). This leads to the development of
programmable integrated circuits (PIC), microcontrollers, and microprocessors.
These devices are used in home automation, surveillance and security,
manufacturing industries, and even in space explorations. These technological
innovations aim to help humanity.
Engineering and Society

When I a student in engineering, I always remembered a line from the book
in Control Systems that differentiate engineers and scientists. It stated that
engineers describe the physical world mathematically so that we can create a
system that will benefit humanity. This principle was inculcated in my mind as
my engineering philosophy. Inventing something to help mankind. As a
university engineering instructor, I always encourage my students to design a
project not focusing on the level of technology being implemented in the project
but the impact of the project on the society. My advice was not fallen on deaf
ears. One of my students, a resident of a subdivision in Davao City, suffered from
late announcements of overflooding of Davao River. Thus, their furniture and
appliances were not evacuated ahead of time. Hence, they decided to develop a
system that will monitor the river and transmits the real-time water level in their
devices at home. The design will be implemented using a microcontroller Arduino
and the signal will be transmitted using radio frequency (RF). The design of the
system can already be found on the internet. However, only a few of those
prototypes was implemented in the community.
Critical Thinking in Engineering
During my engineering student days, we were trained to analyze problems
systematically and solve mathematically. In simple mathematical problems, if
you knew the formula and simply substitute the values you can get the correct
answer without thinking deeply. Even in board examinations, you might get the
answer just by applying simple arithmetic to the given. The learning is so
procedural without challenging the assumptions.
Engineers should include critical thinking in our arsenal. I believe that
famous engineers and scientist had an advanced critical thinking skill. When
Thomas Edison was applauded for his patience in inventing the light bulb after
about a thousand failed attempts, he said to also found a thousand ways not to
light the bulb. In addition, when the everybody in the scientific community
believes in the Newtonian theory of understanding the gravity, Albert Einstein

theorized the concept of General Relativity. Other scientists believed that object
is pulled by the gravity in a straight line, like an apple that will fall on your head.
However, Einstein’s theory shows that an object with a heavy mass will create a
dent in space, thus, creating gravity. This explains why the planets remained in
their planes, and the moon remains in earth’s orbit. When the majority believes
in something, people with critical thinking skills think differently.
Conclusion
The contributions of Edison's inventions and Einstein's theories are only
a few of other thousands of scientists. These help humanity to live life to the
fullest and have a better understanding of the world where we live in. I believe,
these things will not be possible if they did have critical thinking skills.
Finally, I believed that critical thinking should be developed as a skill. This
will help people find other solutions (not the obvious) to a problem in the society
that might be more efficient and sustainable.
Recommendation
The schools should include critical thinking in their curriculum.

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Engineering Perspective: Importance of Critical Thinking in the

Development of the Society

Reflection by Louie C. Juera

Critical thinking outdoes the constraints of the problem. In answering

what my previous knowledge dictated. My decision for choosing a letter as an

Development in Electronics Engineering

advent of today's technology, computing capabilities can even be done in a

One of the reasons for this development is the evolution of electronic

semiconductor devices. Decades ago, a transistor can be as big as mineral water

dispenser with a gallon of water. In the present, millions of transistors are

already embedded in an integrated circuit (IC). This leads to the development of

programmable integrated circuits (PIC), microcontrollers, and microprocessors.

These devices are used in home automation, surveillance and security,

manufacturing industries, and even in space explorations. These technological

innovations aim to help humanity.

Engineering and Society

in Control Systems that differentiate engineers and scientists. It stated that

engineers describe the physical world mathematically so that we can create a

my engineering philosophy. Inventing something to help mankind. As a

university engineering instructor, I always encourage my students to design a

ears. One of my students, a resident of a subdivision in Davao City, suffered from

late announcements of overflooding of Davao River. Thus, their furniture and

devices at home. The design will be implemented using a microcontroller Arduino

prototypes was implemented in the community.

Critical Thinking in Engineering

During my engineering student days, we were trained to analyze problems

systematically and solve mathematically. In simple mathematical problems, if

answer just by applying simple arithmetic to the given. The learning is so

procedural without challenging the assumptions.

Engineers should include critical thinking in our arsenal. I believe that

believes in the Newtonian theory of understanding the gravity, Albert Einstein

in something, people with critical thinking skills think differently.

The contributions of Edison's inventions and Einstein's theories are only

Finally, I believed that critical thinking should be developed as a skill. This

that might be more efficient and sustainable.

The schools should include critical thinking in their curriculum.

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