A handy list of time-tested ideas and smart shortcuts for thinking.
When presented with competing explanations, the simplest one is usually best (Occam’s Razor). This principle encourages cutting away unnecessary complexity and assumptions before forming judgments or taking action. The core lesson is simplicity over needless complication.
Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by ignorance or error (Hanlon’s Razor). The idea is to assume mistakes or misunderstandings before jumping to ill intent. In critical thinking, it’s a reminder to consider simpler explanations first rather than imagining hidden agendas.
Do not remove a rule, practice, or institution until you understand why it exists (Chesterton’s Fence). It’s a warning to understand before dismantling.
In thinking and debating, try to understand and even strengthen an argument before you critique it (Principle of Charity). This is often called “steelmanning”: before pointing out flaws, make sure you’ve represented the argument in its strongest form. It’s closely related to Chesterton’s Fence, but applied to ideas rather than institutions. Philosophers also talk about “hermeneutic respect,” which is just a fancy way of saying: understand before judging.
Bulverism is the mistake of assuming something is wrong and attacking it without really examining it (Bulverism). It’s the opposite of the Principle of Charity and serves as a caution: don’t condemn before understanding. Like Chesterton’s Fence, it emphasizes the need for comprehension before criticism.
Don’t continue investing in something just because you’ve already spent time, money, or effort (Sunk Cost Fallacy). This principle warns against letting past investments cloud rational evaluation. The key takeaway is decisions should be based on future value, not past costs.
Ninety percent of everything is mediocre or low quality (Sturgeon’s Law). It’s a cheeky caution to look past the noise and focus on what is genuinely worthwhile, avoiding snap judgments based on quantity over quality.
Models, rules, and frameworks are simplifications of reality, not reality itself (The Map Is Not the Territory). This principle reminds you to understand the real system before acting, rather than blindly following abstractions.