Illusion of explanatory depth

Notes

Claim

When people are asked to explain how their idea works, how it can be implemented, or to define it thoroughly, they are faced with their limited knowledge and ignorance.

Explanation

Something about the concept of explaining it to others (or to oneself) makes it a good method for Self Reflection, similar to Explaining ideas simply exposes gaps in understanding or Journaling enables reflection and self-understanding through written documentation, it triggers our Examining ideas rigorously before accepting them as true.

Why it matters

It is useful against The less you know the more confident you are, because it exposes our lack of knowledge. It's important to focus on "logical" how questions, not "why" questions which will just lead to entrenchment with arguments based on Conformation bias makes us accept confirming evidence without scrutiny. The how questions should originate from Curiosity is the joy of filling knowledge gaps, if we would be judgmental, they will stay in "fight or flight" mode instead of critical thinking mode.

Examples

For example, when people were asked to draw a pair of bicycle, or explain how a toilet works, their confidence in their knowledge dropped.

Supporters

Opposers

Open questions

Visual

Overview

🔼Topic:: Overconfidence and Self-Assessment ↩️Origin:: 🔗Link::