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.

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

• What is autosuggestion?
  You can improve your negative thoughts by conscious self-talk. Overwrite your disempowering thoughts with positive new instructions. Improve the way you feel and act, in situations you have previously found difficult.
  Read Article >
• How to Use the Pleasure/Pain Principle
  Bad habits tend to be pleasurable. Eating unhealthily might be pleasurable at the time, but the long term consequences, could lead to pain, quite literally. This blog examines why wisdom is the art of thinking long term.
  Read Article >
• Sustainable Success
  To achieve success you must work hard, but you must be able to sustain your efforts over many years to be successful. You are a limited resource facing an unlimited demand, so you must learn to find the correct balance between work and recuperation.
  Read Article >
• Happy at Work
  Your organisation runs best when employees are working in cooperative, happy teams. Teams that possess a "positive mental attitude" are happier and more productive.
  Read Article >
• Operate according to your plan, not your mood
  In order to achieve your goals, it is important to operate according to your plan, not your mood.
  Read Article >

Advert