Why document arguments
When I am in the process of convincing myself or someone else about an idea, I begin by compiling my arguments in a note and figuring out what makes most sense.
Advantages
Documenting views in this way lets me to gain the following advantages:
- Knowledge of reasons favouring a particular decision or option
- Opportunity to revisit them later to learn from present experience
- Opportunity to test hypotheses
- Ability to prioritize them based on relative weight and any unintended consequences
- Ability to articulate them in conversation with someone else when needed
- Ability to represent a view even in absentia
- Space between decision and action for critical analysis and introspection
- Space for preparation preceding a discussion
- Space for gathering supporting evidence
- Space to get thoughts out of my head, leaving me with room for breathing
Process breakdown
Here's a quick breakdown of the steps that I would usually go through:
- Make a note with a list of arguments for and against a decision or option in consideration
- Add structure with the flow from the problem statement, through challenges faced to proposed solutions
- Furnish essential details for each element in the outline
- Proceed to have a socratic debate with self based on the above notes
- At each stage of the debate, write down or strengthen the arguments that win
- Iterate
- Share, if needed, as part of your discussion with someone else
- Get feedback and rework if new information emerges through the conversation
- Save as a guide for future reference
When I manage to write down my views, it affords me space for clarity. It doesn't cost much and it requires little or no skill.
#clarity #iteration #notes #thinking #writing
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