The case of solving complex problems with surprising ideas and new perspectives is exemplified by Alexander the Great’s ‘Gordian Knot’ or the ‘Egg of Columbus.’ If you have tried using the same perspective and approach but have not achieved your goal, you must tackle it from a completely different perspective and method. Nevertheless, the reason we continue to cling to our previous perspective and direction is that we focus too much on the method. If you get caught up in the method, you lose sight of your purpose. If you lose your purpose, you may end up trying the same method again. If the will is strong and misguided, it is possible to repeat this. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
The social scientist’s method of confirming the facts is first to verify the beta error (Type II error) and then the alpha error (Type I error) before accepting the hypothesis as true. In other words, if the probability is less than 5% after focusing on the likelihood of accepting a false hypothesis as true (Type II error), then we risk rejecting a true hypothesis (Type I error) as false. It’s a conservative position that new information will be accepted only when the probability of being wrong is very small. This verification method is helpful if you don’t want to be swayed by conspiracy theories. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”