What Makes You Say That?
Updated 2026-08-10
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
What makes you say that is a standard probe used to ask for evidence and reasoning, forcing the speaker to support their own claim with reasons. It converts vague opinions into examinable arguments and trains the habit of not accepting statements at face value, and it is the core tool of Socratic dialogue and self-examination.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Return the burden: hand the proof obligation back to the speaker with one calm question - Surface the chain: ask for sources, evidence, and the inferential steps behind the claim - Apply to self: hold your own assertions to the same standard before speaking
Anchor fast decisions
The question is neutral in form but demanding in effect: it asks the speaker to externalize the evidence and inference behind a claim without accusing them of being wrong. Because the burden of proof stays with the claimant, weak support is exposed by the speaker's own answer, and the absence of direct contradiction keeps defensiveness low enough for genuine inquiry.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more
Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_for_Childrenverified
PRIVATE NOTES · Only visible to you
SAVED Q&A
ENTRY Q&A · Private saving available
Ask with a clear boundary
thinkingmodels answers from published entry context only.
Your question is sent to thinkingmodels. The answer uses public entry context only.
RELATED MODELS