Everyone has assumptions they make about the world. These assumptions come from a variety of places, such as our families of origin, where we grew up, and what faith tradition we were raised in. As we have explored the subject of thinking this year, we have considered what thinking is, how to think by cultivating curiosity, and how IEW teaches thinking. Challenging our assumptions is part of the logical progression in becoming better thinkers, but it is also one of the most difficult. It is uncomfortable. However, it is important to confront the things we take for granted as true. Let’s take a few moments to consider when we should challenge our assumptions, why it is important, and how to do it.
Each one of us has moments in our lives when we are confronted with ideas that oppose what we think. This can happen when we encounter a problem at work, when we have to make a major decision, or when we vote. It is part of being human. What we choose to do at these moments shapes our character, paves the paths of our future, and has ripple effects on those around us.
Since challenging our assumptions can be uncomfortable and even scary, why should we do it? First, confronting our preconceived notions helps us to make better decisions. Stopping to consider all aspects of a situation or problem can reveal choices that were not apparent at first. This leads to the second reason: we challenge our assumptions to avoid having blind spots. How can we make a well-informed decision without contemplating all aspects of the situation? Finally, reflecting on our assumptions can affirm them, giving us inner peace, security, and the confidence to express our conclusions to others. Wrestling with our presuppositions broadens our perspective and makes us grow.
Clearly, challenging our assumptions is a practice that we need to participate in. So how do we do it? Some of the answers are in the previous blog posts in this series mentioned above. IEW’s Unit 7: Inventive Writing also gives us some tools for doing this. As Andrew Pudewa states in his talk The Four Language Arts, “If you want to understand something, write about it.” Additionally, read stories from other cultures. Literature is a nonthreatening yet powerful way to see things from a different angle. Most importantly, make an effort to consider alternate perspectives. We tend to avoid doing this, which leads to blind spots, poor decisions, and weak beliefs. By seeking to understand others’ perspectives, we either recognize some of the errors in our own thinking or strengthen our beliefs. Either way, the practice of challenging our assumptions cultivates humility and compassion in us.
Each of us has multiple opportunities to question our assumptions. Let us push through the discomfort to consider other viewpoints. This is the only way we will model confident and competent thinking and communicating to our students.
by Deanne Smith
