Latest Discussion Idea for IONS Community Groups ~~ The Benefit of Doubt

Just for the fun of it, Bob, I'll jump in the deep end, blindfolded; and express some thoughts on our society before reading the article or the play.

Either doubt or blind faith may lead to disaster if they are out of control; of course they could lead to great success by pure lucky chance. The most crippling scene is when somebody tries to balance them: wavering from one to the other as the mind balances on a knife edge of anticipation.

Edward de Bono has designed Six Thinking Hats to control this dilemma: using doubt as a check to avoid real problems, like portions of a project that are too costly, illegal or impractical. Those problems are then recycled through the thinking cycle to see if more enquiry can't find useful solutions, before they are discarded or put on hold.

Blind faith can be expressed as a belief: then we go on to think in the other modes, anyway. Getting pure data from reading or research; cherry picking promising items; developing them; looking for pitfalls and safeguarding against them. Going on to a trial run on a scale that will not cost too much. Each thinking mode is kept separate to avoid confusion: which we need no more training in at all.

Most of western society just does not know how to think very productively; though it may only take a dozen weekends to learn how.

Now to read node 3444 before going for a long walk along Marine Drive to Whytecliffe Park. I promise to comment again.

George
2009 BC

Hi H.B.,

Since you haven't commented on this post I assume you haven't had the opportunity to check it out as yet.

Just want to let you know Mill and I are traveling to Pennslyvania and thus off-line until Tuesday, May 26th.

Have a healthful and joyful holiday!

Bob

H.B. for a great article. Our New Options Community Group discussed it during yesterday's meeting using the questions listed in the above-cited link.

I remember you requested that I give you some idea as to what was discussed. We used a series of open-ended questions, six of which were based on quotations from your article (copies were distributed to group at meeting a week before so all had an opportunity to read your article before the meeting).

These quotes provided us with a semi-structured process of open-ended 'discussion points' which elicited in turn additional points drawn by the group from your article, as well as from their own experiences, insights, and outside reading.

Everyone in our group of eighteen participants, all retired professionals from a broad range of fields, were wide awake, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and vitally involved in our discussion.

Judging from their seriousness of interest, candor in expressing pros and cons, and liberal sprinkling of good humor, comradery, and laughter from time to time, your article was a smash hit.

Thank you again for making your knowledge and wisdom available to us.

Healthful and joyful be!

Bob