Accurate Thinking & Problem Solving
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”
Albert Einstein
Universal Intellectual Standards
Clarity
Could you elaborate further?
Could you illustrate what you mean?
Could you give me an example?
Accuracy
How could we check on what you say?
How could we find out if what you say is true?
How could we verify or test what you say?
Precision
Could you be more specific?
Could you give me more details?
Could you me more exact?
Relevance
How does what you say relate to the problem?
How does what you say bear on the question at issue?
How does what you say help us with the issue?
Depth
What factors make the problem a difficult one?
What are some of the difficulties we need to deal with?
Breadth
Do we need to look at the problem from another perspective?
Do we need to look at the problem or question in other ways?
Logic
Does what you say reasonably and clearly follow from the evidence you have offered in support of your claims?
Significance
Is this the most important problem to consider?
What of the facts you offer as support are most important?
Reflective Question
How will we know that we have asked the right question, in the right order and at the right time?
Suggested Reading
How Successful People Think by John C. Maxwell
The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking by Edward B. Burger
Critical Thinking: A Beginner’s Guide to Critical Thinking, Better Decision Making, and Problem Solving by Jennifer Wilson
Point of Reflection
“No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.”
Voltaire