Step or Stage 10: Suspend Judgment

Step or Stage 10

Suspend Judgment

Problem Solving Theory Calls for Suspending Judgment

This is the step or stage for deep mental reflection. The nature of knowledge theory requires that you possess some humility about the results of your work, even though you are ready to take action. While you have spent a lot of time and effort to reach a final conclusion, you must now change your attitude and suspend judgment and keep an open mind. Do not fall in love with your final hypothesis. Watch for other concepts or trains of thought now and in the future. This is basic problem solving theory following the scientific method.

Dr. Crooks’ 1958 Advice on Problem Solving Theory

He presented his paper “Suggestions for Teaching the Scientific Method” at the American Association for the Advancement of Science convention in 1958. It was later printed in American Biology Teacher magazine in 1961. Reading this eventually got me started on a 20-year second career of researching the scientific method. In his article on the scientific method, he said:

Stick to your conclusion until it is proven wrong.
Keep an open mind and be ready to accept new evidence
Opinions thought correct today in light of present knowledge may be thought incorrect tomorrow because of new discoveries or projection of new ideas.

Condensed Definitions of Knowledge Types for Problem Solvers

Through the ages, people have struggled (and still do) to try to describe what “knowledge” is. But there is almost universal agreement on one point: Knowledge is forever changing and ever expanding. Therefore, basic problem solving requires you to suspend your judgment at all times.

Common Sense and Common Knowledge

There is a large body of common knowledge, and individuals tend to draw heavily upon it in their daily activities. Consider that:

Some common knowledge is false, a half-truth, conflicting, inconsistent, superstitious, fragmented, and imprecise. However, time and practical application have produced a lot of reliable “common” knowledge.
Your studies, reasoning, and experiences transform a lot of it into what you believe is reliable knowledge.

Three Classes of Problem Solving Theory or Knowledge

Class C (good) – “On the evidence available today, the balance of probability favors the view that ...“

Class B (better) – “On the peer-reviewed evidence available today, the balance of probability, plausibility, and consensus favors the view that ...”

Class A (best) – “Based on the peer-reviewed evidence available today which has been repeatedly tested and applied, the balance of probability, plausibility, and consensus favors the view that ...”

Problem Solving Theory Includes Keeping an Open Mind as Intelligent Compromises Are Often Needed

These compromises are needed not only in business, but in all social sciences. In The Fundamentals of Top Management (1979), Davis says,

It was suggested previously that “intelligent compromise” should be considered a phase of the scientific method when applied to business planning. Management is becoming a profession. It is not based directly on the “exact” physical sciences, however. The “one best method,” insofar as the field of management is concerned, is the one that will get the most results of the requisite quality for the least money, and have them available when and where they are needed. It is not usually the method that is theoretically perfect. It is more likely to represent some compromise between complexity and scientific accuracy on the one hand, and simplicity, understanding and cooperation on the other. It may be modified in an attempt to adjust legitimately the personal interests of personnel to the service objectives of the organization. Plans do not execute themselves. They must be executed by the organization’s personnel.

Remember as You Proceed

From studying SM-14, you learn that if you are willing to research and follow the steps or stages of SM-14 in accordance with supporting ingredients 12, 13, and 14, you can produce or verify reliable knowledge. The degree of reliability depends on the quality of the methods, procedures, attributes, and thinking skills of the researcher, and the complexity of the subject matter.

Next . . . Stage 11: At last, the results of your efforts to produce reliable knowledge are put to use or made known to the world. WARNING: Winning acceptance is usually not easy.