🧠 How to Think Like a Philosopher
Problem Solving 101
Fellow Philosophers,
This will be our only letter this week. I’ll be taking some time to rest and plan as we begin a new chapter on December 8 with the launching of paid subscriptions.
For this week, I want to share one possible perspective of how to think like a philosopher.
Someone asked me recently how I approach problems or new ideas. I didn’t realize it until I started talking that I have a bit of a method modeled after some of the thinkers we study here at TPP.
Below I’ll share my framework, and would love to hear your feedback and about any mental models you use to approach new information, problem-solving, or deep thinking.
“How do you solve problems?”
For me, problem solving is a balance of 3 primary ideas. I use this mental model whether I’ve been exposed to new information or something which challenges a current belief, or if I have a problem to solve in life or at work.
The 3 ideas are:
Charity
Epistemic Humility
Observational Engagement/Reflection
Charity
I believe that charity is a skill most missing—and most needed—in modern public discourse.
The principle of philosophical charity demands that before deconstructing or challenging an argument, I must be sure to consider the best possible version of that argument.
At the risk of being misunderstood, here’s a quick, very relevant example from our modern, public discourse. (Please read the whole example before drawing any conclusions)
Let’s assume I believe strongly in the wearing of masks to curb the spread of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s assume that I encounter someone who strongly opposes this perspective and desires that others also oppose government and business mandates.
As someone with an oppositional belief, the principle of charity demands not that I defend my position, but that I seek to understand the best possible version of the other perspective before I begin to analyze, critique, or deconstruct it.
Perhaps I would learn that those opposing the wearing of masks believe in individual liberty, have had negative experiences with medicine, have been marginalized by institutional medicine in ways I didn’t understand, or deeply believes that wearing masks leads to negative health outcomes.
Now let’s consider I’m someone who believes strongly in opposing the wearing of masks and mandates, and I meet someone who believes strongly in wearing them.
As someone with an oppositional belief the principle of charity demands not that I defend my position, but that I seek to understand the best possible version of the other perspective before I begin to analyze, critique, or deconstruct it.
Perhaps I would learn that those promoting large-scale mask wearing have had wonderful experiences with modern medical interventions (they have saved their life or the life a loved one), that they believe in being compassionate and empathetic toward their neighbors, and that they believe strongly in the wearing of masks to prevent future episodes of disease spread.
By using this model, we’re not using our prefrontal cortex to defend our position, but rather making the courageous stand to understand the deepest values of our opponents. In this way, we can have a conversation based upon the merits of the ideas, and refrain from personal attacks.
Because charity enables us to separate ideas from people, we don’t identify with our beliefs, and we don’t identify others with their beliefs either. Rather, we all meet in the common ground of thought to challenge and analyze that which we know and perhaps don’t know.
Epistemic Humility
This leads us perfectly into our next pillar: epistemic humility.
This concept refers to an awareness we each carry to know certain things, to not know others, and to maintain a sense of humility in the face of acquiring new knowledge.
Together, Charity and Epistemic Humility combine to create an approach to life which acknowledges an evolutionary short circuit we all have.
Because knowledge wasn’t about philosophy but about survival for so much of our species’ history, we’re biologically predisposed to make snap-judgement decisions built upon our existing, latent knowledge and then find information to support that snap-judgement decision (especially if we had any type of positive reinforcement when making that decision. That could be the dopamine hit from a friend’s affirmation, or the sheer sense of staying alive or having “won” an argument.)
Without reflection or intentionality, we are hard-wired to see the world through the familiarity of the worldview we’ve been given or adopted, and to be affirmed when we find information that solidifies those beliefs.
However, beliefs have consequences and often negative ones for those around us.
Epistemic humility enables us to step outside of our default mental models, and consider our limitations in acquiring new information. Some call this practice, mindfulness.
As Epictetus once said,
It is impossible for a [person] to learn what [they] think [they] already know.
Observational Engagement/Reflection
This last idea must always be the last idea. I find that my temptation is to begin with personal reflection and observation. But, due to the biological predisposition mentioned above, this will only entrench my existing worldview.
At the same time, our capacity for intuition and rational reflection is profound!
Therefore, once we’ve extended charity to opposing views, once we’ve practice epistemic humility and mindful reflection, we are then in a state of mind to engage our prefrontal cortex in doing what it does best: thinking!
We’ve built the scaffolding upon which we are ready to create our masterpiece.
Without identifying with our ideas or identifying others with theirs (which can only lead to perceived threats and verbal or physical violence) we’re now ready to engage our higher faculties and observe, reflect, repeat.
In many ways, this process is what it means to be human.
Thank you for indulging me friends, I hope you found this helpful and interesting.
I’m looking forward to being with you all next Monday as we launch a new series and introduce paid subscriptions!
Remember, if you haven’t already done so to subscribe, and if you have to invite your friends with your unique referral code. Anyone that subscribes by the 8th will get a free lifetime membership. Plus, if at least 10 of your friends subscribe by then, you’ll receive a free, personalized gift from me to you!
Until then,
Matt
This is brilliant! Thank you, Matt!