Timothy Taylor — Ane Don't Know In Addition To Then Good What Ane Intend Until Ane Run Into What Ane Say

I've known writers who create got the attempt almost fully formed inwards their mind, as well as it only pours out on to the page. It's happened for me a few times. But most writing for me, as well as I suspect for others, starts from a house of less clarity. There's an idea, to survive sure, as well as some back upward for the idea. But every bit you lot endeavor to set the ideas into concrete words, you lot function aware of a lack of precision inwards what you lot are saying, of a failure to capture what you lot actually hateful to say, of holes as well as inconsistencies inwards the argument, of places where the declaration is non persuasive or connected or fluent. I sometimes uncovering this difficult to convey to students: Writing isn't (usually) almost transcribing thoughts, but instead is intertwined with a procedure of developing insights that are to a greater extent than accurate as well as complete.…

This is the procedure of applying critical thinking to creative thinking, of which Ludwig Wittgenstein said, "The utilization of philosophy is the logical clarification of thoughts. Philosophy is non a theory but an activity... Philosophy should clarify as well as sharply fountain thoughts that would otherwise survive cloudy as well as blurry, every bit it were. " (Tractatus 4.112)

Rigorous thinking demand non survive formalized, since that is non e'er possible. For example, this may occur when lineament predominates over quantity, or quantity is non sufficiently measurable for the storey of precision needed. or the set out of variable as well as parameters involved makes formalized models intractable.

It's also a argue for using math where mensuration is possible as well as quantity is a factor. For example, a lot of patch promising entrepreneurial ideas are deflated when ane puts numbers on it.

But logic is e'er applicable is some form, as well as logic is ane pillar of critical thinking. The other pillar is substantiation, e.g., through bear witness or say-so such every bit practiced testimony or documentaion.

 Another aspect of critical thinking is tacit knowledge. This is a argue that experts inwards a patch are to a greater extent than reliable on matters inwards that patch that non-experts. Their tacit noesis provides the necessary background upon which to draw.

Critical thinking combines the categorical as well as dialectical, the dialectical aspect considering possible errors as well as objections yesteryear playing the devil's advocate.

Ideas of whatever storey of complication or complexity should survive discussed inwards a squad that brings may inputs to behavior inwards a dialectic process. RAND Corporation invented the Delphi method for this purpose, for instance. Academics do this yesteryear passing their papers only about alongside colleagues earlier releasing them. Working papers are also used to solicit feedback.

The Internet both helps as well as hinders this process. Obviously, I intend it helps to a greater extent than than hinders.

It helps yesteryear forcing clarity, brevity as well as precision inwards thinking as well as expression, every bit good every bit grooming inwards drawing on as well as distilling tacit noesis every bit background.

It hinders owing to the limited compass of the media, e.g., blogs as well as social media posts, as well as the breadth of scale, which bespeak a sure enough storey of "dumbing down" to achieve the wide non-expert audience. As a lawsuit the output may survive somewhat superficial as well as fifty-fifty survive misunderstood, which poses a reputational guide chances that some are non willing to accept. There is also the guide chances of appearing foolish if ane exceeds the bounds of one's patch of expertise as well as makes errors, revealing lack of discrimination.

Conversable Economist

"I Don't Know So Well What I Think Until I See What I Say"

Timothy Taylor | Managing editor of the Journal of Economic Perspectives, based at Macalester College inwards St. Paul, Minnesota