In the ethics class that I’m teaching this semester at Dayspring Center for Christian Studies we began the class by talking about ethics as a subcategory of philosophy.  And by “philosophy” I’m speaking primarily about clear thinking.  After all, philosophy involves developing certain skills in reasoning.  Well, this morning we looked at four questions, what we are calling “Critical Thinking Questions,” which I’m hoping to ingrain in my students over the next four months.  It’s difficult to overemphasize the usefulness of these questions when it comes to dialoging with others with whom we might disagree, reading books, or even thinking through our own beliefs.  These questions become handy instruments in the tool belt of the Christian as we engage in evangelism or even pre-evangelism.  Here are the four critical thinking questions and an example of how they work.

(1) What do you mean? 
(2) How do you know that? 
(3) What’s your argument?  What follows from that?
(4) What difference does that make?

(1) What do you mean? 
This question deals with words or terms that a person uses.  By this type of question we’re looking for clarification, explanation, definition, and focus.  You’ll often hear marriage counselors say that one of the most important tools in good communication is mirroring or feedback.  Before we can respond to somebody (spouse or otherwise), we must be sure that we understand what they are really saying, and not just what we think they are saying.  Some ways to get at this might begin with:

      Are you saying that …
      Let me see if I’ve got this right …
      Could you explain …
      What I hear you saying is … ; is that right?
      Can you give me an example?

Abortion Illustration
For the sake of illustration, let’s consider the question of abortion.  You might read on a bumper sticker or hear a woman who is pro-choice say, “Keep your hands off my body.”  You could employ this first critical question by asking something like, “Can you tell me what you mean by ‘my body’?” Or “What does it take for something to be considered ‘your body’?”

What you’ve done here, instead of creating an emotionally charged fight, is to get this individual to think carefully about her beliefs.  You’ve also communicated to her that you respect her enough to want to know more about what she really believes.  Too often Christians portray themselves as knee-jerk responders to those with whom they disagree.  And unfortunately, often times all this does is create heat rather than light, confusion rather than illuminating.

(2) How do you know that? 
This question deals with the claim or assertion which a person makes.  By this type of question we’re asking him to provide the evidence, justification, and defense for his belief.  We’re seeking from him good reasons to believe the claim he is making.  And so we might begin our questions something like this:

      How do you know that?
      Why do you believe that?
      What evidence do you have that that is true?
      On what grounds do you say that?
      What are your reasons for saying that?
 
Abortion Illustration
Apply this type of question to the pro-choice statement, “The Fetus is not human.”  How would you ask him to justify this claim?  Remember you don’t have to refute it yet.  The pro-choice person has made the claim and therefore bears the burden of proof.  You could ask him, “What reasons have led you to conclude that a fetus, or pre-born child, is not human?”  Notice that you’re being generous, assuming that he actually has solid evidence behind his claim.

NEXT POST: Part 2

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What are other reasons why it is vital to ask questions (1) & (2) from above?
2. What can happen when we fail to ask these questions?
3. Can you think of an example of when you have asked one of these poignant questions and how it shed light on your discussion?