The Art of Clear Thinking

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

Advert

The Art of Clear Thinking

One important skill is the art of clear thinking.

For this you need to be able to separate the "arbitrary" from the "possible".

Many people think there are only two kinds of statement:

1. True statements
2. False statements

In fact, there are FOUR classifications of statements:

1. True
2. False
3. Possible and
4. Arbitrary

True.

Defined as "a statement where all the available evidence supports the statement and none contradicts it.

Example: You are reading this article.

False.

Defined as "a statement where all the evidence contradicts the statement. There is none to support it.

Example: You are NOT reading this article.

Possible.

Defined as "a statement where there is some available evidence to support it but not enough to be labelled true"

Example: Mankind's carbon emissions are affecting the world climate.

Arbitrary.

Defined as "a statement where the statement is conceivable, but there is no evidence to suggest it is actually true."

Example: There is a burglar hiding in your house, right now!

Identifying the arbitrary from the possible.

It is vital that you separate the "arbitrary" from the "possible".

DO NOT confuse ARBITRARY statements and think of them as being POSSIBLE.

Do not make the almost universal error of accepting "arbitrary" (ie conceivable but with no evidence to support it) statements, as having the same status as "possible" (ie as having evidence to support it).

If you make this error you will have joined the other 99% of the world's population who are confused by this.

Separate the "arbitrary" from the "possible"

Imagine someone says to you:

"Is it possible there is a burglar lying in wait under your bed right now?"

"Is it possible that your partner is cheating on you when he/she goes out in the evening?"

"Is it possible that you might crash your car on your way home tonight and die?"

If you reply "yes - it is possible" you will cause yourself unnecessary worry.

The correct reply is "That is a conceivable, but arbitrary statement. What evidence have you got?"

Summary

Remember, there are four kinds of statement, not just true and false, but also possible and arbitrary.

Challenge other people who make arbitrary statements and claim "it is possible". Learn to say in response: "That is a conceivable, but arbitrary statement. What evidence have you got?"

Avoid blurting out your own arbitrary statements. Doing so can make you sound naïve.

Stop yourself from creating arbitrary fears (conceivable but without evidence) and reacting to them as if they were "possible" (ie statements with evidence to back them).

Do this and you will think more accurately and rest more soundly.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Personal Effectiveness

• Having the Last Word
  Many people have to have the last word in an argument, maybe it makes them feel powerful, or perhaps they just like arguing. By letting them have the last word, you then become the one with the empowerment, indicating that the discussion is closed.
  Read Article >
• Distinguish Truth From Falsehood
  Just because a lot of people believe something, does not make it likely to be true! The truth has been argued about since the dawn of time. But how do you determine the truth?
  Read Article >
• What is the Best Memory Training Technique?
  Do you struggle to memorise facts? There are lots of techniques for remembering and memorising things. One of the best is called the Memory Palace or Method of Loci. Check out our example of how this works and see how easy it is to remember a list.
  Read Article >
• Self-Control
  Be the master of your own destiny. You need to master yourself before you can master a situation. Therefore you need self-control. Your success is dependent on two things: everything you do, and everything you say.
  Read Article >
• How to persuade someone to do something
  There will come a time at work or in your personal life, where you will need to persuade someone to do something, in order to achieve a goal. Here are a few simple tactics you can use next time you need to use your powers of persuasion.
  Read Article >