9 Highly Underused Thinking Principles to Becoming a Master Problem-Solver
On bullet-proofing your thinking process to find better solutions
Universal intellectual standards are critical thinking safeguards high-level thinkers use to make decisions and solve problems in work and life.
It’s an insurance against errors in their thinking process.
Here are the 9 standards they use.
1. Seek clarity
Whether it’s something you’re thinking about or a conversation you’re having with someone, having clarity is the first backstop.
This principle seems obvious, but people overlook it all the time and go on to making decisions without first having full clarity of what’s in front of them.
Some questions to ask:
- What is this statement really saying?
- Is there a way to elaborate further on the point?
- Is there a way to express the point in a different way?
- Is there an example you can find that expresses the point?
2. Seek accuracy
Even though you understand the statement or idea and it’s clear in your mind, it may or may not be true.
Some questions to ask:
- Is this statement accurate, true?
- How can I verify the accuracy of this point or statement?
3. Seek precision
Statements and points can be clear and accurate, but not quite precise.
Precise means getting definite and specific.
The company is going bankrupt.
The statement may be clear and accurate but we need more details.
Some questions to ask:
- Has the company filed for bankruptcy already?
- Has the company been declared bankrupt by a competent court yet?
- When is the company going bankrupt?
4. Seek relevance
A statement or point can be clear, accurate, and precise, but irrelevant to the question at issue.
Relevance means is it connected in some way to the statement or point you’re dealing with.
Some questions to ask:
- How is that connected to the issue you’re dealing with?
- How does that impact the issue?
5. Seek depth
Depth means not being superficial in your thinking.
It means going past the simple answers to find out why something is the way it is.
Some questions to ask:
- Does this statement or idea really answer what you’re trying to figure out?
- Does this statement or idea take into account the complexities of the situation?
- Are you considering all factors here or just making generalizations?
6. Seek breadth
Your reasoning may pass all of the first five standards but fail to consider other points of view or perspectives.
Some questions to ask:
- What’s another perspective we can look at this problem from?
- What would this look like from this or that perspective?
7. Seek logic
Logic means that the conclusions made are supported by and follow from your thoughts.
The converse is contradictory or convulted thoughts that end up not making much sense.
Some questions to ask:
- Do your thoughts follow from each other?
- Is there a rational sequence that makes sense?
- How does X follow from Y?
- Are you implying two things that may contradict each other?
8. Seek fairness
Fairness in thinking means not letting your emotions or feelings get in the way of considering all possible perspectives in addressing the question or problem.
Just because you may not agree with someone’s position doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider it.
Fairness means leaving your feelings at the door so you can be as objective as possible.
Some questions to ask:
- Are you considering all viewpoints without regard to your feelings?
- Are you distorting any information to give biased preference to your own viewpoint?
9. Seek significance
Significance in critical thinking means addressing the most important parts of an idea or problem you’re facing.
There may be more than one problem or set of facts, but what’s the most significant or central part of it?
Some questions to ask:
- Is this the most important problem to consider?
- What’s the central idea to focus on here?
- Which of these facts are most important to the problem or issue?
Final reminders
Next time you find yourself dealing with a difficult problem, whether in a relationship, work project, or some new entrepreneurial idea, put your thinking through the ringer and see if they pass muster on an intellectual front.
If you want to learn more about the skill of critical thinking, take a look at the Foundational for Critical Thinking and the Center for Critical Thinking along with their many published books.
