Effective Theory
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An "Effective Theory" is a theory that is observed to work even though some theories that reside underneath it are too complicated, complex or presently obscure to express. It is called an “effective theory” because it’s effective; it works.
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One of many examples is; though most of us do not understand the complexity of how a smart-phone works, we are not software or hardware engineers, we do not need to know. We just use them. They are effective. They work.
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Another example of an effective theory is; though most of us do not understand the complex biological processes that underlie human reproduction, we know how to do it. It is effective. It works. It so effective that today there are over 8,000,000,000 people on the planet.
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The effective theory on the INTRODUCTION page is; even though most of us don't know or understand the complex operations of a thinking brain’s 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion synapses (connections).
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What we do know is that the brain is a thinking organ.
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We know that the brain is an analytical organ.
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We do know that analyzing is a process of questioning.
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Therefore, the brain is both a questioning and thinking organ.
Further, we know that:
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The process of thinking produces answers, solutions and diagnoses.
The process of questioning also produces answers, solutions and diagnoses.
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The processes of thinking and questioning are identical processes for they produce identical products
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Therefore, the unconscious process of thinking is the process of unconsciously asking ourselves questions.
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"Things
which are equal to the same thing
are equal to one another"
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"Things
that coincide with one another
are equal"
mathematician
300BCE
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The practical aspect of this is that thinking and questioning and one and the same process; interchangeable. With this understanding, it is logical that by improving our questions we improve our thinking. We can do this without knowing the complex inner workings of the brain.
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The description of the process of thinking as questioning offered on this INTRODUCTION page fits comfortably within the definition of an effective theory. It works.
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Truth is what works.
Philosopher
Psychologist
Pragmatism
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This truth is what works
until it doesn't.
Show me that this truth
doesn't work.
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Philosophical Pragmatism
is similar to an
“effective theory”
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Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that includes those who claim that an ideology or proposition is true if it works satisfactorily, that the meaning of a proposition is to be found in the practical consequences of accepting it.
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You will find that the definition of “thinking as questioning” works satisfactorily and will find the practical consequence of accepting and applying it.
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