Sequential Problem Solving Part 2

Mature thinking skills include procedures that require specialized knowledge and basic thinking skills, like applying the sequential steps of problem solving and following the sequential tests for moral decision making.

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

The stream of consciousness technique is a "basic" thinking skill, along side outlining, note taking, rapid reading. The stream of consciousness skill is also known as the free-a.s.sociation recall technique.

Both creative writers, artists and scientific problem solvers use the stream of consciousness or free-a.s.sociation skill. This skill is also known as gestation, mulling things over, and getting a handle on things. The process begins by letting our thoughts flow freely and then sorting out the ones useful to our problem from the many that came to mind. Often many of the random thoughts that come to mind have no apparent connection to the problem; they are merely connected like circular links in a spider's web to threads that interconnect with others and run toward the center of the problem. The free a.s.sociation technique begins by trying to think about nothing in a relaxed, tension-free environment. Try as we might, something always intrudes on our consciousness. It may a line running toward the center of the web or it may be a seemingly meaningless, circular line. Every thought should be written down as it comes to mind, and the task of thinking about nothing begun anew. After ten or fifteen minutes, the train of intrusive thoughts usually begins to slow down, and we can then take the list of seemingly unrelated thoughts and sort out the ones that relate to the problem. The next step of brainstorming is to take the free a.s.sociation / stream of consciousness list and circle the words that pertain to the problem, and connect them with "web"

lines into "cl.u.s.ters." These crude webs and cl.u.s.ters can then be reconstructed into a more legible outline. (Several styles of outlining are ill.u.s.trated in the Appendix 2.) This outline can then be used in the subsequent steps of problem solving. The subsequent steps of the problem solving procedure involve hypothetico-deductive reasoning and is a part of the scientific method.[4]

Problem Solving Steps.

1. Identify the problem (state the hypothesis).

2. Gather facts: three ways in the order of most reliability.

A. Research -- library, Internet.

B. Ask someone knowledgeable.

C. Brainstorm: free a.s.sociation / stream of consciousness, web and cl.u.s.ter, outline.

3. Develop several alternative solutions.

4. Pick a possible solution and try it.

5. Evaluate the outcome.

6. Try again if necessary

_Problem Identification_ as the first step of problem solving

In life, personal problems are often complicated by outside challenges. In literature, these forces are called external conflicts.

The external conflict may be man challenged by nature, man embattled by society, or one man opposed by another man. In science, problems are often exclusively matters of a physical nature and the external conflict is man being challenged by nature.

Internal conflicts have a personal nature. By comparing personal internal conflicts to Aristotle's structure for dramas, these conflicts can often be recognized. Aristotle's drama structure divided the play into five acts with a hero, a villain, an external conflict and climax, and an emotional cleansing involving an internal conflict.

Real life internal conflicts often involve character traits and values that are easily identified by this method.[5] (Character traits and values are discussed in the section on interpersonal relationships.)

_Fact Gathering_ in Problem Solving.

The preferred order for gather facts is based on the order of reliability: library research, asking someone knowledgeable, and brainstorming.

Facts should be tested for logic, emotional fallacies, and the credibility of "expert" witnesses. Facts gained from research in a library are easiest to verify, and other methods of gathering facts must often be re-verified through library research. Logical and emotional weaknesses of arguments can often be recognized by the use of certain fallacy recognition checklists.[6] The most widely used of the fallacies is the over or under generalization: everyone (all, without exception, none, never, no one) rode a bicycle when only two years old.[7]

The more common persuasive fallacies are:

Logic Fallacies.

1. Generalization -- It is raining everywhere. It has not rained anywhere. (The exception is discounted.)

2. Circular argument -- That team is the best because it is the greatest. (Similar adjectives describing each other.)

3. Either or fallacy -- Either the city will drill more wells or it will run out of water. (This ignores the possibility of water pipelines, river dams, desalinization, etc.)

4. Cause and effect fallacies -- two kinds:

A. Single cause fallacy -- The streets are wet, therefore it has been snowing. (This discounts other causes like rain.)

B. Guilt by a.s.sociation -- He has a friend that is a j.a.panese, therefore he must be j.a.panese in his soul.

Emotional Fallacies. (These are intended make a person fear loss of friendship.)[8]

1. Generalization-Everyone is doing it.

2. Sn.o.b Appeal -- A special thing for a special group: Heroes wear only Hot Stuff clothes.

3. Loaded Language -- Emotionally connotative terms of derision: He is a "Mutt." (Not only a dog but also a worthless cur.)

4. Name Calling -- This is often used to discredit someone.

It is also often a problem evasion rather than a problem solving strategy that uses:

i. Sarcasm.

ii. Cynicism.

Credibility Fallacies.

Credibility fallacies are those in which uncertified people present themselves as experts: the famous actor dressed as a doctor recommending a certain medicine. The actor is not a trained professional and has no professional credibility.