Consider on what basis you can justify any claims. You may rely on external evidence, personal preferences or experiences. All of them will at some stage point to our assumptions we accept as fundamental.

Our assumptions are unexamined ideas. They are vital as they underpi...

What are you claiming, and why? For example, thinking if it is better to become a vegetarian or a vegan, and why or why not it is better.

Write out a numbered list of statements followed by a conclusion. The statements should present a line of reasoning th...

Simple conclusions can become more complex and revealing. For example, if you believe that it is better to be a vegetarian but don't eat vegetarian, it suggests that you don't believe your own reasons or that you don't find your reasons compelling.

Clarify...

When we are struggling with a complex topic, it can be powerful to talk someone else through the idea, step by step.

This principle of explaining complex ideas as simply as possible is called 'Explain Like I'm Five.' Explaining concepts helps to clarify our thinkin...

When it comes to clarifying your thinking, differentiate between what follows from your assumptions and the status of those assumptions:

• Any line of thinking begins with certain assumptions you take as a given.
• A process of analysis can show where your assum...