Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

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You are here: Home / Potpourri / 3 Questions That Clarify

3 Questions That Clarify

3 Questions That Clarify

I use 3 questions to uncover the truth of many statements that I hear.

You should use them too.

They will change the way you look at the world.

What are they?

1. Compared to what?
2. At what cost?

3. Where can I find the evidence for that?

“Country X is an economically free country.” Compared to where?

“She is so tall.” Compared to who?

“People that make the minimum wage are poor.” Compared to who?

“We should eliminate drugs from society.” At what cost?

“We should eliminate all inequality.” At what cost?

“Country X needs to protect jobs with tariffs and quotas.” At what cost?

And finally, with anything outlandish you hear, you should ask for the evidence.

Often, the “evidence” is dubious at best. And frequently, nonexistent.

Go ahead. Give it a try.

I just heard: “Oil prices need to be higher.”

All I can think of is:

Higher compared to what?  And at what cost?

Note:

Everyone is in debt to Thomas Sowell for thinking of these three questions.
I forget what book it was in, but these questions came from him.

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Filed Under: PotpourriTagged With: #Clarity, #Questions

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