Thinking method · Descartes, Discourse on Method
Methodical doubt
Temporarily setting aside everything that could be doubted, to see what remains. When a whole line of reasoning may be resting on one inherited premise.
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Temporarily setting aside everything that could be doubted, to see what remains.
The steps
- Take a belief you hold about a situation.
- Ask what you would still be sure of if you could be wrong about it.
- Keep going until you reach something you cannot doubt.
- Rebuild from there, and notice how much of the original was assumption.
When to use it
When a whole line of reasoning may be resting on one inherited premise.
What it will not do
Total doubt is not livable and not the point. It is a tool for finding the load-bearing premise.
Where it comes from: Descartes, Discourse on Method. Described in our own words.
The module it belongs to
- Critical Thinking — Evaluate claims and evidence