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?
3. Where can I find the evidence for that?
“Country X is an economically free country.” Compared to where?
“People that make the minimum wage are poor.” Compared to who?
“We should eliminate drugs from society.” 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.
