Sydney Smith 
Denysha Taylor 
Humans have acquired many problem-solving skills through the ages. Some have been simple and some are the answers to many complex issues that the human race has had to face. Critical thinking and problem solving are not innate in my opinion, but are acquired. In my opinion our problem solving can be linked to restoration. Although I struggle with choosing to put it in any one category, I think that it fits restoration the best. The need and desire that we have to find answers to our problems and solve many pressing issues, stems from the determination to get something right. This determination can be a part of restoration; to me it is the need to prove that you are headed down the right track (as a result of redemption). I don’t know who we are “proving” this too, or even if that is our goal. But I do know that every one of us wants to have answers, and hope to be the one who thought of that answer.
This was displayed in The Chimpanzee that was being researched. The Chimp wanted to get the peanut out of the tube, and used critical thinking (applying the displacement of water to the situation) to find the solution to do just that. Eventually the chimpanzee got the peanut. We are like the Chimp. We know there are answers and solutions to problems, and we use our critical thinking to come to those solutions.
Zach Stromberg
9:24 pm, 11.01.13
Critical thinking is definitely hard to put in one specific category. Even so I like that you have compared it to restoration. We have a natural desire and need to overcome obstacles and work through problems. Thankfully we have these abilities and can overcome and live in freedom!
Irene Anderson
11:15 pm, 11.03.13
I love that Critical thinking is put in the restorative category. It is true that the goals of this thinking is to solve problems and create harmony within ourselves and in our lives. We must overcome problems or obstacles in order to make it through life so it’s cool that God rewired our brains to do that. It proves that He isn’t leaving us out to dry mentally. 😀 I never thought of it like that until now.
Hillary Richardson
5:02 am, 11.04.13
I think that this a great way to look at redemption. I like that you compared problem solving to redemption. I never really looked at it that way. It made me really think! I love what you said about determination fitting with redemption. I totally agree! We are determined as Christians to be as close to God as possible, but we can only get there through redemption! I loved you post! Thanks for sharing!
Anna Pierce
9:22 am, 11.04.13
Awesome insight! Clearly you really understand this subject. It’s cool how we can be restored through the use of problem solving skills. WIthout the ability to change we cannot be redeemed.
Nicole Flores
4:32 pm, 11.04.13
Your post really made me think! Being able to use critical thinking in order to restore ourselves from the problem at hand is a great way to view restoration. We have the ability to change and so that we can live a full life. Thankful that God has given us this gift of critical thinking!
Meredith Thornton
11:07 pm, 11.04.13
Laura Kate, I think this is a very interesting way of addressing Gestalt and critical thinking. I don’t think I would have categorized it under redemption, but I loved your explanation, it really allowed me to understand your point of view. I also love that you pulled from the Chimp example…although I’m not sure that I ever would have figured that problem out!
Denysha Taylor
11:29 pm, 11.04.13
Laura,
I agree that restoration is a great fit for problem solving. When you were talking about the desire to “get something right” my mind went straight to a GRE math problem. However, I think your expansion adds a much more complex depth to the human psyche than any aptitude test.