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| Be Consistent |
Be Consistent
One of the best aids to clear thinking is a consistent world view that you can use in all modes of thought, with all of your worldly knowledge, and all of your memories. With a consistent world view it is easier for the various parts of your brain to function in unison, leading to more powerful thinking. A consistent world view helps you to gather information about the world in an objective manner so that all parts of your brain can utilize the same input.
In practice we tend to develop a variety of mental models to cope with particular situations, as we encounter them. The challenge is then to review the characteristics of those models and try to modify them so that they are consistent with each other. I can remember as a child struggling with the concepts that anything lighter than water, such as wood, will float and anything heavier than water, such as steel, will sink – and yet battleships and ocean liners are made of steel and seem to float very well. These mental models of flotation were inconsistent with each other and inspired a lot of pondering and quests for more information. A version of Archimedes’ principle was required to bring these two models of reality into agreement.
Note that inconsistent behaviour involves using one set of guiding principles in one situation, and a conflicting set of principles in a different situation, without you necessarily being aware of any contradiction.
Here are a few examples of inconsistent mental models:
1. While the ancient Romans created disciplined and well-equipped armies, they often relied on augury to determine a good day for battle. Their training and weapons were based on logic and proven battle tactics, but examining a sheep’s liver for favourable signs before going to battle was completely arbitrary.
2. In democratic countries, special interest groups often organize large public protests in efforts to influence government policy. In effect, such public protests are intended to subvert the activities of elected officials – and thus make a democratic government responsive to their group rather than to the entire electorate.
3. Someone who uses a computer to prepare an essay on the ‘evils of technology’ may not be thinking in a consistent manner.
4. The concept of an all-powerful and loving god appears to be inconsistent with the abundant suffering of innocents that such a god could easily prevent.
Working with a consistent mental model is analogous to working with a universal system of measures and weights, such as the metric system. A common set of weights and measures facilitates trade and technical communications between countries.
Tools manufactured in one country can be used to repair a machine manufactured in another. A consistent world view facilitates communication among various mental models. Solutions to problems in one realm can be adapted for use in other realms.
A consistent world view also helps you to understand the past, predict the future, and deal with various individuals and groups of people.
One of the best aids to clear thinking is a consistent world view that you can use in all modes of thought, with all of your worldly knowledge, and all of your memories. With a consistent world view it is easier for the various parts of your brain to function in unison, leading to more powerful thinking. A consistent world view helps you to gather information about the world in an objective manner so that all parts of your brain can utilize the same input.
In practice we tend to develop a variety of mental models to cope with particular situations, as we encounter them. The challenge is then to review the characteristics of those models and try to modify them so that they are consistent with each other. I can remember as a child struggling with the concepts that anything lighter than water, such as wood, will float and anything heavier than water, such as steel, will sink – and yet battleships and ocean liners are made of steel and seem to float very well. These mental models of flotation were inconsistent with each other and inspired a lot of pondering and quests for more information. A version of Archimedes’ principle was required to bring these two models of reality into agreement.
Note that inconsistent behaviour involves using one set of guiding principles in one situation, and a conflicting set of principles in a different situation, without you necessarily being aware of any contradiction.
Here are a few examples of inconsistent mental models:
1. While the ancient Romans created disciplined and well-equipped armies, they often relied on augury to determine a good day for battle. Their training and weapons were based on logic and proven battle tactics, but examining a sheep’s liver for favourable signs before going to battle was completely arbitrary.
2. In democratic countries, special interest groups often organize large public protests in efforts to influence government policy. In effect, such public protests are intended to subvert the activities of elected officials – and thus make a democratic government responsive to their group rather than to the entire electorate.
3. Someone who uses a computer to prepare an essay on the ‘evils of technology’ may not be thinking in a consistent manner.
4. The concept of an all-powerful and loving god appears to be inconsistent with the abundant suffering of innocents that such a god could easily prevent.
Working with a consistent mental model is analogous to working with a universal system of measures and weights, such as the metric system. A common set of weights and measures facilitates trade and technical communications between countries.
Tools manufactured in one country can be used to repair a machine manufactured in another. A consistent world view facilitates communication among various mental models. Solutions to problems in one realm can be adapted for use in other realms.
A consistent world view also helps you to understand the past, predict the future, and deal with various individuals and groups of people.
