Andrius Kulikauskas of the Minciu Sodas laboratory for the project Features of Reasons for Thinking

The Counterquestions

The seven counterquestions are one of the most remarkable and helpful structures that I have ever encountered. Raising a counterquestion is the way we exercise intelligence. Our minds are not able to encompass all of the counterquestions at once, even though we are familiar with each of them. Taken together they structure our intuition. We should look for them whenever we analyze a system of six or seven or eight intuitive principles.

Responding to Doubts with Counterquestions
Structure of the Counterquestions
Using the Counterquestions to Map Intuition
Related Structures and Open Questions

Responding to Doubts with Counterquestions

Structure of the Counterquestions

Click here for Diagram of Counterquestions

Using the Counterquestions to Map Intuition

Steve Raiff: Does the system under question answer the Meta Questions, or simply re-ask or relate to the questions? Specifically, I'm trying to determine how to assign the "it" in two of the questions.

The system re-asks the counterquestions. In other words, each counterquestion makes resonate a different principle of the system. Each counterquestion helps us appreciate the perspective and situation of the corresponding principle. They should make us experience the principles fully, rather than manipulate them mechanically.

Steve Raiff: Once the meta Q's are answered or related, how are they assigned to locations on the dual-sided relational map? The lines between the points connected on different sides of the relation map are labeled with the system being categorized.

I've drawn a diagram of the counterquestions. I draw the diagram has having four levels, (as given by the foursome), which I denote God, person in general, person in particular, world. I place the points of view on the left, and the situations on the right (these are the two representations of the foursome). The points of view are those of God, person in general, and person in particular (the point of view of the world is null). The situations are those of person in general, person in particular, and world (the situation of God is null). The counterquestions give the various ways of placing a point of view in a situation. All evidence suggests that the point of view and the situation need to be from different levels. This yields seven counterquestions as follows:

Counterquestion Point of view Situation

How does it seem to me? Person in particular World

What else should I be doing? Person in general World

Would it make any difference? Person in general Person in particular

What do I have control over? God Person in general

Am I able to consider the question? God Person in particular

Is this the way things should be? God World

Am I doing anything about this? Person in particular Person in general

Example: Principles of Nonviolent Engagement

Principles of Nonviolent Engagement	Underlying Counterquestions
Be straightforward. Tell them what you think the issue is, and what you intend to do.	How does it seem to me?
Be thorough. Don't rush or skip steps. Keep involving all relevant parties, the neighbors, the police.	What else should I be doing?
Be vulnerable. Acknowledge that you have something at stake that you may lose.	Would it make any difference?
Avoid victory. Let them have the last word. Wish good things for them.	What do I have control over?
Seek clarification. Let them teach you. Never assume, always ask, and take up what they say, no matter how ludicrous.	Am I able to consider the question?
Stick to your principles. Stand firm on principles you agree to suffer for.	Is this the way things should be?
Have something to share. Show a friendly attitude, share in theirs.	Am I doing anything about this?

Example: Problem Solving

Steve Raiff: I mapped it to the problem-solution framework that I was enthusiastic about for relating thinking tools together. It helped me eliminate the "Explore" step - part of the problem definition phase. It seemed to overlap with Identify and Define.

Steps in Problem Solving	Underlying Counterquestions
2. Define the Problem	How does it seem to me?
3. Plan the Solution	What else should I be doing?
4. Create the Solution	Would it make any difference?
5. Design the Solution	What do I have control over?
6. Compare the Solution	Am I able to consider the question?
1. Identify the Problem	Is this the way things should be?
7. Implement the Solution	Am I doing anything about this?

Example: DeBono's Thinking Hats

Edware de Bono has created and trademarked a system of six thinking hat's to facilitate communication. His offical website is http://www.edwdebono.com/index.html

Intuitive Principles	Underlying Counterquestions
Red hat	How does it seem to me?
Yellow hat	What else should I be doing?
White hat	Would it make any difference?
Blue hat	What do I have control over?
Green hat	Am I able to consider the question?
Black hat	Is this the way things should be?
[Purple hat - added by Steve Raiff]	Am I doing anything about this?

Analysis using the counterquestions suggests that Edward de Bono's thinking hats give the various ways of exploring cognitive systems, as shown below:

Example: The kinds of prayer

The kinds of prayer	Underlying Counterquestions
Guidance	How does it seem to me?
Confession	What else should I be doing?
Help	Would it make any difference?
Challenge	What do I have control over?
Praise	Am I able to consider the question?
Worship	Is this the way things should be?
Petition	Am I doing anything about this?

Example: The six antitheses from the Sermon on the Mount

The short citations below are taken from the New American Bible, which is copyright (!) as are most other English translations.

Antitheses	Underlying Counterquestions
Mt 5, 27-30 ...everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adulterly with her in his heart...	How does it seem to me?
Mt 5, 21-26 ...if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that you brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother...	What else should I be doing?
Mt 5, 43-48 ...For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?...	Would it make any difference?
Mt 5, 33-37 ...Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black...	What do I have control over?
Mt 5, 38-42 ...I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil...	Am I able to consider the question?
Mt 5, 31-32 ...whoever divorces his wife... ...causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery... (Mt 19, 1-12 ...because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but in the beginning it was not so...)	Is this the way things should be?
	Am I doing anything about this?

Example: Basic Life Principles

Bill Gothard has developed a 32-hour course based on seven Basic Life Principles, http://www.iblp.org/seminars/index.asp. He observed these principles in his work with youth in conflict, and he also found them in the Bible. Through his course he helps apply these principles to personal lives, marriages, families, and businesses.

Bill Gothard sees youth conflict as resulting when youths take up a limited perspective in life, rather than God's perspective.

I think his Basic Life Principles can be seen as metaprinciples, ways of strengthening principles.

Youth Conflicts [taken from http://www.iblp.org/seminars/index.asp] Basic Life Principles [paraphrased] Underlying Counterquestions

6. Bondage to destructive and impure habits. 6. Freedom: Exercising my conscience to discern between good and evil and overcoming the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. How does it seem to me?

3. Guilt from violations of conscience. 3. Responsibility: Account for my every thought, word, action, and motive, and ask forgiveness of those I offend. What else should I be doing?

5. Anger over rights that were violated. 5. Ownership: Realize that all that I have has come from God. I need to use my resources wisely for God's purposes. Would it make any difference?

1. Rejection of unchangeable physical features. 1. Design: Understand that inward character is more valuable than outward appearances or circumstances in seeking happiness. Accept unchangeable physical or family features as motivations to develop positive character qualities. What do I have control over?

4. Bitterness over being offended or hurt by others. 4. Suffering: Distinguish the various kinds of suffering, forgive others and benefit from their offences. Am I able to consider the question?

2. Conflicts with God-ordained authoritites. 2. Authority: Honor the responsibilities of parents and other authorities. Learn how God works through others to provide me direction and protection. Also, never obey instruction to do anything morally wrong. Is this the way things should be?

7. Lack of purpose and direction in life. 7. Success: Engrafting Scripture into my heart and mind so that I can use it to make wise decisions and understand God's direction for my future. Am I doing anything about this?

Counterquestion	Point of view	Situation
How does it seem to me?	Person in particular	World
What else should I be doing?	Person in general	World
Would it make any difference?	Person in general	Person in particular
What do I have control over?	God	Person in general
Am I able to consider the question?	God	Person in particular
Is this the way things should be?	God	World
Am I doing anything about this?	Person in particular	Person in general

Youth Conflicts [taken from http://www.iblp.org/seminars/index.asp]	Basic Life Principles [paraphrased]	Underlying Counterquestions
6. Bondage to destructive and impure habits.	6. Freedom: Exercising my conscience to discern between good and evil and overcoming the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.	How does it seem to me?
3. Guilt from violations of conscience.	3. Responsibility: Account for my every thought, word, action, and motive, and ask forgiveness of those I offend.	What else should I be doing?
5. Anger over rights that were violated.	5. Ownership: Realize that all that I have has come from God. I need to use my resources wisely for God's purposes.	Would it make any difference?
1. Rejection of unchangeable physical features.	1. Design: Understand that inward character is more valuable than outward appearances or circumstances in seeking happiness. Accept unchangeable physical or family features as motivations to develop positive character qualities.	What do I have control over?
4. Bitterness over being offended or hurt by others.	4. Suffering: Distinguish the various kinds of suffering, forgive others and benefit from their offences.	Am I able to consider the question?
2. Conflicts with God-ordained authoritites.	2. Authority: Honor the responsibilities of parents and other authorities. Learn how God works through others to provide me direction and protection. Also, never obey instruction to do anything morally wrong.	Is this the way things should be?
7. Lack of purpose and direction in life.	7. Success: Engrafting Scripture into my heart and mind so that I can use it to make wise decisions and understand God's direction for my future.	Am I doing anything about this?