Woolboy 1

Zachary Woolboy
Professor Jason Beal
BUS 1050
August 9 2015
My Renaissance
My personal renaissance that took place over the course of this class came in the form of
a self-realization. Throughout our various readings, I discovered things about myself that had
remained unknown. Our very first assignment was to read, Introduction to Critical Thinking
Business, by Edward Engh. There is a very obvious reason for this introduction and I can attest to
its benefits. The second assignment that helped me gain some insight into how I feel regarding
modern business is Excerpt from The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. Lastly, Can an
Executive Afford a Conscience? by Albert Z. Carr helped me explore the idea of ethics within
todays business environment. Although the rest of the assignments offered some new way of
thinking or confirmed existing thoughts, I found these three to be especially enlightening.
I have never been one to express my own thoughts unless it was absolutely necessary.
More often than not I would let my thinking and actions be guided by whomever I found to be
the most valuable person in the room. I wasnt able to really identify this problem within myself
until I had read the opening chapter to our text, Critical Thinking: Readings from the Literature
of Business and Society. After reading the chapter, I was convinced that having thoughts and
ideas that differ from others was something of value and that voicing my opinions in the correct
way and asking the impolite questions would only prove to be a respected attribute in the long
run.

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The next chapter that proved to be edifying for me as a student as well as a person is
Excerpt from The Wealth of Nations. This chapter affirms the ideas I took from the introduction
as it details Adam Smiths revolutionary understanding of economics. Smiths writing is full of
contradictory ideas and suggestions compared to the way business was being conducted during
his time. Considered the father of economics, Adam Smith would have never made the impact
he did if not for his use of critical thinking and willingness to find fault in the existing system.
One of the biggest takeaways from The Wealth of Nations, is the idea of an automatic or natural
economic system that exists. This natural economic system of course is referred to as the
invisible hand.
Thus far I have discussed a renaissance in regards to my way of thinking and how I wish
to carry myself in business as well as everyday life. The last chapter I wanted to reference is Can
an Executive Afford a Conscience? There were a few instances over the duration of this course in
which my personal opinions of how the U.S. functions from a business and economic standpoint,
most the time I found myself with some firm beliefs that I did not know I had. I could have
referenced a few chapters from our required readings but I decided to go with this chapter as it
posed some ethical questions that perhaps I will be faced with someday. My biggest turning point
had to be with my ideas of the governments role in society and business. I am starting to see that
I have problems with how the government spends money and the large role that the U.S. military
has in how this country functions economically. I know there is so much that goes on that is
unknown to me and it limits my understanding of why the government functions the way it does
but I cant help but feel we are sending our troops overseas for monetary reasons. As a veteran, it
saddens me to feel a slight distain towards our government and our countrys military.

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In conclusion, this course has offered me a personal renaissance not only as a student but
as a father, employee, and citizen of the United State of America. As grandioso at that statement
may seem, it is true none the less. This course has been a testament to the power of knowledge
and that of literacy. I have gained a deeper understanding of the history of business and
economics as well as that of myself. I will continue to use critical thinking in my pursuit of
education as well as professionally. A greater understanding of the world from a business
standpoint will prove to be useful in almost any discipline I choose to follow and the idea of
critical thinking will prove to be useful as a person in everyday life.