Stephanie, Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I totally agree that Critical Thinking is not always the appropriate deciding approach (most of the Arts, for example come from a very affective perspective). My comments were related primarily to the application of Critical Thinking (as appropriate) within the cognitive realm. In most of us humans, those two are not often easily separated. Additionally, even in the critical thinking arena (I believe) unique perspectives can be very helpful in so much as they are additive in nature (expanding the viewpoint) and not narrow, restrictive or exclusionary. As a science and technology teacher for over 25 years, I find that many unique perspectives often provide multiple opportunities for advancement and growth. These are the seeds for going beyond where we are. I apologize that I did not present my whole thought in an adequate manner the first time. Nevertheless, I do believe that cultural issues rest on human preferences, but morals are likely to be more substantive at a level above individual preference, or popular vote. This comes from more easily identifiable extremes like murder (as opposed to killing) and slavery, where human lives are taken by strangers with no cause except that it is their preference to take the life. Yet, I do not believe any group or person, (current or past) has correctly identified all of the xxxxillions of those lesser obvious absolutes. In other words, I believe no mortal human has grasped the moral reality in whole. The discussions/arguments rage, but who can definitively say who is right, or who is closer to being right, or if no one is right. My thinking leads me to believe (like in science) just because a definitive answer is not available, it does not mean one does not exist. Morals, to me, seem to be too foundational to human dignity/equality (another moral?) to be equated to cultural or individual preferences...just my 2 cents...my opinion. ;-] Thank you for your insights and contributions. I have greatly enjoyed this academic work out. Dr. S. David Vaillancourt