Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M4179

Principle of Indifference

Principle of Indifference
CultureHigh supportEpistemology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

If among n possible outcomes there is no reason to consider one more likely than another, then we should assign equal probability (1/n) to each. Scaffolding role: default baseline. In completely unknown new domains (no prior knowledge), do not guess tendencies blindly; maintain the assumption of uniform distribution. This is the most honest and unbiased initial state.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Default baseline. In completely unknown new domains (no prior knowledge), do not guess tendencies blindly; maintain the assumption of uniform distribution. This is the most honest and unbiased initial state.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

When there is no reason to favor any mutually exclusive outcome, assign equal prior probabilities; it is one of the starting points of classical probability and Bayesian priors (also known as the principle of insufficient reason).

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_indifferenceZH · Explicit
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