Read/review the following resources for this activity:
• Textbook: Chapter 6, 7
• Lesson
• Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)
Introduction
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinions – but not their own facts.” (Daniel Patrick Moynihan,
cited in Vanity Fair, 2010, para. 2)
We form opinions – and make our judgments – based on facts we observe and values we hold.
Our judgments are also influenced by the opinions of others. In the section “An Expert on Hate
in America” in Chapter 6, one of the authors, Dr. Peter Falcone, renders an opinion on a nonprofit civil rights organization: Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Dr. Falcone is a leading
advocate and one of the most influential voices in the field of critical thinking.
His endorsement of the civil rights organization is unqualified. It is also transparent: Dr. Falcone
reveals that he is a financial supporter of the organization and has arranged speaking
engagements for its founder. This is Dr. Falcone’s invitation to you, the reader:
Knowing where you can learn more about the SPLC for yourself, and knowing about Dr.
Falcone’s endorsement and support of the Center’s work, evaluate this claim made by Dr.
Falcone: “The SPLC is an expert on hate in America” (p. 124).
The endorsement of the SPLC is contained in the most current edition of the text, whose
copyright date is 2016. Since that time Morris Dees, co-founder and former chief trial counsel,
has been fired (Hassan, Zraick & Blinder, 2019). Previously, there has been controversy about
groups and individuals that are listed by the SPLC as “hate groups” (Graham, 2016; Price, 2018).
The organization, which has nearly a half-billion dollars in assets, has also been criticized for
how it spends these funds (Robinson, 2019).
Self-Assessment Question
Before you submit your initial post, make sure to read the assigned chapter. Then, ask yourself
the following: Did the article in Chapter 6 of the text seem credible and reliable? Why? Be very
specific:
• Was it because it is in a textbook?
• Because it was written by a learned and respected person?
• Because of content in the article?
• Because of your previous knowledge of the SPLC?
Initial Post Instructions
For the initial post, address the following:
• Conduct additional research on the SPLC. Did your opinion alter in any way? Why?
Only after you have done some responsible research should you begin to respond to the
discussion prompt. The discussion is not about the SPLC; it is not about Dr. Falcone. It is about
what you have learned about forming opinions.
Your post must answer this question:
• How do you define the term “expert”?
Your post must also discuss at least two (2) of the following questions:
• How important are facts in the process of forming an opinion? Explain what you believe
to be the purpose or function of facts in making a judgment.
• How did you respond to the self-assessment question? Since doing further research, have
you re-thought the way in which you assess credibility and reliability? What is the
importance of factoring the regency of a reference or opinion (i.e., how old is it?) into an
assessment of credibility and reliability?
• How would you evaluate Dr. Falcone’s claim “The SPLC is an expert on hate in America”
(p. 124). Does the SPLC fit your definition of “expert”? Be specific in your answer.
