“You should take the approach that you’re wrong. Your goal is to be less wrong.”
Basically, we live in an infinitely complex world. Our perception of the world, and our creation of models can work, but they might not be 100% accurate. We can navigate these errors by using multiple different models and coming at problems from other angles.
In an era where complexity defines our personal, professional, and societal challenges, a singular lens of problem-solving proves insufficient. The essence of truly understanding and addressing a problem lies in our ability to dissect it through multiple frames and disciplines. This holistic approach not only unveils the problem’s multifaceted nature but also illuminates blind spots that a one-dimensional analysis might miss. Even if one model is correct, other models can also provide a more complete picture.
Example 1: Economics
One example is Economics. Economics is one of the less accurate fields we have, when you compare it to Physics or Maths for example. And so when we are using Economics to make predictions, it would be extremely advantageous to consider thinking from discisplines too, for example Psychology, History, Financial, but also seeking other ways to look at it.
Complexity of Human Behavior
Economics, at its core, deals with human behavior and decision-making, which can be unpredictable and influenced by countless factors, including psychological, social, and cultural variables. The subjective nature of human preferences and the impossibility of accounting for every individual’s choices make it difficult to predict economic outcomes with absolute certainty.
Dynamic Systems
Economies are dynamic systems influenced by a multitude of interconnected factors, including politics, technology, environmental changes, and global events. The interplay between these factors can lead to unforeseen outcomes, making it challenging to achieve perfect accuracy in predictions or models.
Simplification and Models
To make the analysis tractable, economists often rely on simplified models that abstract from reality. While these models can provide valuable insights, their simplifications mean that they cannot capture all aspects of the real world perfectly, leading to inaccuracies in predictions.
Changing Conditions
Economic theories and models may not hold across different times or contexts. Changes in technology, society, and the global environment can alter economic fundamentals, making previous models less applicable or accurate over time.
Powerful Quotes
- “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” – Henri Bergson
- “Diversity: the art of thinking independently together.” – Malcolm Forbes
- “If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” – Abraham Maslow
- “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein
- “Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” – Robert H. Schuller
- “It is not that I’m so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.” – Albert Einstein
- “To the man who only has a hammer, everything he encounters begins to look like a nail.” – Abraham H. Maslow
- “Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- “The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill.” – Albert Einstein
- “Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” – Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi
Example 2: Who will win a competition?
To illustrate this, let’s take a seemingly simple question: “Who will win the competition?” and analyze it through various frames including physics, psychology, genetics, capitalism, relationships, logic, chemistry, and philosophy.
Physics
From a physical standpoint, the outcome of a competition could be influenced by factors such as energy, force, and motion. For athletes, it’s the biomechanics of their movements, the efficiency of energy conversion, and the impact of external conditions like air resistance and friction. Understanding these can help optimize performance to sway the competition’s outcome.
Psychology
Psychologically, the mindset of the competitors plays a crucial role. Factors such as motivation, confidence, stress levels, and mental resilience can greatly influence who comes out on top. A mother who is protecting a child, for example, can be substantially stronger than someone who is tired and not that interested. A competitor with a growth mindset, who sees challenges as opportunities to improve, may have a significant advantage over those who succumb to pressure.
Genetics
Genetically, innate talents and predispositions can give competitors an edge. In sports, for instance, certain genetic markers are associated with endurance, muscle composition, and oxygen uptake. However, genetics is not destiny; it interacts with environmental factors, training, and individual effort to determine performance.
Capitalism
Viewing the competition through a capitalist frame, we consider market forces, economic incentives, and resource availability. In business competitions, for example, companies with more capital, better market positioning, and superior strategies are often predicted to win. Yet, disruptive innovation can level the playing field, demonstrating that success is not solely dependent on financial power.
Relationships
While this is related to Psychology it’s also a different frame. The relational aspect examines the networks, alliances, and social dynamics at play. In team sports or business ventures, cohesive relationships and effective communication can significantly impact success. Teams that foster strong bonds and a supportive culture often outperform their fragmented counterparts.
Logic
Logical analysis involves breaking down the competition into strategic moves, probabilities, and potential outcomes. This approach emphasizes rational decision-making and strategic planning, assessing the competition as a series of logical steps towards victory.
Chemistry
On a chemical level, the biochemical processes within competitors’ bodies, including hormonal balances, neurotransmitter activity, and metabolic rates, can influence performance and outcomes. Understanding and optimizing these processes through nutrition, training, and recovery can provide competitors with an advantage.
Philosophy
Philosophically, the concept of competition can be explored in terms of ethics, purpose, and the human condition. This frame might question the value of competition itself, proposing collaboration and collective growth as more enriching goals. It challenges us to consider the deeper implications of our pursuits.
Conclusion: The Power of Multifaceted Analysis
By examining a problem through diverse lenses, we uncover a rich tapestry of factors that influence outcomes. This multifaceted approach does not merely aim to predict who will win a competition but seeks to understand the deeper nuances and variables at play. It encourages us to move beyond surface-level analysis, fostering a more inclusive, comprehensive, and ultimately effective strategy for problem-solving. Whether in personal endeavors, professional projects, or understanding societal issues, embracing this multidisciplinary perspective allows us to see beyond the obvious, challenge our assumptions, and discover innovative solutions hidden within the complexity of our world.
Other Examples of Multidisciplinary Problem Solving
- Climate Change Mitigation: Addressing climate change effectively requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes environmental science, economics, political science, engineering, and sociology, among others. For example, developing and implementing renewable energy solutions involves technological innovation (engineering), understanding of environmental impacts (environmental science), economic feasibility studies (economics), policy making (political science), and changes in human behavior (psychology and sociology).
- Public Health Crises (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic): Combatting a global pandemic requires insights from epidemiology, virology, public policy, economics, psychology, and more. The development and distribution of vaccines involve biological and medical research, economic considerations for funding and access, and psychological understanding to address vaccine hesitancy.
- Urban Planning and Sustainable Development: Creating sustainable and livable cities involves architecture, environmental science, sociology, economics, and technology. For instance, the design of green buildings incorporates architectural creativity (architecture), energy efficiency and sustainability (environmental science and engineering), affordability and economic viability (economics), and the well-being and behavior of inhabitants (sociology and psychology).
These examples illustrate how tackling complex problems through a multidisciplinary lens can lead to more comprehensive, innovative, and effective solutions by addressing the multifaceted aspects of each challenge.
Learn More
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman – Explores two modes of thought and how they impact our ability to solve problems.
“The Art of Systems Thinking” by Joseph O’Connor and Ian McDermott – Introduces systems thinking as a way to view problems and solutions.
“The Medici Effect” by Frans Johansson – Discusses how innovation occurs at the intersection of diverse disciplines and cultures.
“Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World” by David Epstein – Argues the benefit of broad experiences in solving complex problems.
“The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” by Thomas S. Kuhn – A look at how scientific breakthroughs are the result of new frameworks of thought.
“Lateral Thinking” by Edward de Bono – Introduces the concept of lateral thinking for creative problem-solving.
“Where Good Ideas Come From” by Steven Johnson – Explores the environments that foster innovative thinking and ideas.
“Freakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner – Applies economic theories to a wide range of real-world problems.
“The Opposable Mind” by Roger Martin – On how successful leaders win through integrative thinking.
“Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell – Investigates the factors that contribute to high levels of success.
