Rethinking thinking - Trevor Maber

重思「思考」這回事 - Trevor Maber

Translator: tom carter Reviewer: Bedirhan Cinar

譯者: Geoff Chen 審譯者: Coco Shen

Imagine a microscopic-sized ladder contained in the part of our brain

想像一下我們我們大腦 裡頭裝載的一個微型梯子， 我們一般叫它潛意識，

that we'll label our subconscious.

The Ladder of Inference,

推論的梯子作為這模式的基礎 首先是由哈佛大學教授

which was first proposed by Harvard professor Chris Argyris,

is the basis of this model.

克里斯 · 阿奇利斯（Chris Argyris）所提出的。

每次我們與某人互動往來

Every time we interact with someone,

that experience enters the ladder at the bottom.

我們的經驗進入階梯的底部，

That same experience zips up the ladder in the blink of an eye,

這經歷在瞬間躍上梯子

exiting at the top.

一路爬到梯子頂端。

This process happens thousands of times a day

這件事在我們不知不覺中一天要發生幾千次。

without us knowing it.

Let's focus on what happens on each rung of the ladder.

現在讓我們看看爬梯時都發生了什麼。

On the first rung, we have the raw data and observations of our experience.

在第一層，我們透過經驗和觀察得來原始資料

This is very similar to what someone watching a video recording

就像有人看我們的經驗錄製而成的影片

of our experience would see.

Moving up to the second rung,

到了第二層

we filter in specific information and details from our experience.

我們從我們的經驗中篩選特定資料和細節，

We unknowingly filter based on our preferences, tendencies,

在不知情的情況下根據我們的偏好、傾向

and many other aspects that we believe are important.

還有其它我們相信重要的事來篩選它們。

On to the third rung.

到了第三層，

We assign meaning to the information we have filtered through.

我們為那些已通過篩選的資料賦予意義

This is where we start to interpret what our information is telling us.

就是從這裡開始，我們詮釋那些資料的內容。

On our fourth rung, a very crucial thing happens.

對到了第四層，一個非常關鍵的事發生了，

We develop assumptions

我們開始基於前一階段所創造的意義做出假設

based on the meaning we created on the previous rung,

and we start to blur the distinction between what is fact and what is story.

同時，我們開始混淆事實和故事之間的分際。

On the fifth rung,

到了第五層，我們基於我們的假設得出結論

we develop conclusions based on our assumptions.

This is also where our emotional reactions are created.

這一階段也是我們創造情緒反應的地方，

On the sixth rung,

在第六層，我們調整了我們對我們週遭世界的想法，

we adjust our beliefs about the world around us,

including the person or people involved

包括那參與我們經驗的個人或群眾，

in our experience of the moment.

On the seventh and final rung,

到了第七層，也就是最後一層，

we take action based on our adjusted beliefs.

我們基於我們調整後的想法採取行動。

Still with me? Great!

有跟上我嗎？很好 ！

Let's take a real-life example

讓我們用一個真實的例子快速爬一遍這梯子， 看看這一切如何運作的。

and run it up the ladder to see how this all works.

Have you ever been cut off in a parking lot, signal light on

你曾經在停車場上被強佔車位嗎？當你的指示燈亮起，

as you steer toward your coveted spot,

正朝著準備停車的車格駛入， 然後在最後一刻猛踩刹車，

only to slam on your brakes at the last minute

as someone pulls in front of you and steals your spot away?

因為有人在你面前橫切進來偷走你等待的車位？

Imagine that experience and notice all of the data

想像一下這個經驗，注意到所有觀察資料 將進入你梯子的第一層。

and observations landing on the first rung of your ladder.

Now let's watch what we pay attention to on the second rung.

現在讓我們看看在第二層梯子，我們關注些什麽。

Who cares that it's sunny out and the birds are chirping?

誰在乎陽光明媚，鳥兒鳴叫？

The 50% off sign outside of your favorite store is meaningless.

你最喜歡的商店的五折廣告是沒意義的。

You filter in the sensation of your grip tightening on the wheel,

你選擇專注於握在方向盤上緊握的侷促感，

you feel your blood pressure rise,

你覺得你的血壓飆升，

you hear the squeal of your brakes,

你聽到你的刹車的尖刺聲，

and you notice the expression on the face of the other driver

你也注意到另外一位駕駛的神情， 當他硬是插進你等待的停車位前， 快速把頭轉過去。

as he pulls in front of you and quickly looks away.

Time for our third rung.

於是我們來到第三層。

Ever since you were young,

從你還年輕的時候，你父母教你排隊的重要性，

your parents taught you the importance of waiting in line

and taking your turn.

You live and die by the rule of first come, first served.

你深信先來後到的道理，

And now this guy has just stolen your spot.

現在這傢伙竟然偷了你的停車位。這是怎麼回事？

What gives?

Up to the fourth rung we go.

我們來到第四層。

Watch closely as our assumptions take over

請注意，這時我們的種種假設接管了這一層， 我們開始編造故事。

and our story creates itself.

"That stupid jerk, didn't his parents teach him anything?

「那個愚蠢的笨蛋，他爸媽什麽都沒教他嗎？

How could he not see my signal light?

他怎麼可能沒有看到我打的燈？他一定從來都沒用心！

He must never pay attention!

Why does he think he's more important than anyone else?"

為何他覺得自己比任何人還重要？」

Jumping quickly to the fifth rung,

快速跳轉到第五層，

we conclude that this guy is heartless, inconsiderate,

我們得出結論，這傢伙無情、 不可理喻， 他需要有人教他一點正常道理，

he needs to be taught a lesson and put in his place.

We feel angry, frustrated, vindictive, justified.

我們感到憤怒、 沮喪、 想要報復、並且擁有正當理由。

On our sixth rung,

到了我們的第六層，我們調整我們基於經驗的看法，

we adjust our beliefs based on the experience.

"That's the last time I give in!

「這是我最後一次讓步 ！下一次有人試圖插隊，

Next time someone tries to cut me off,

tires will be smoking on the pavement

我會呼嘯而過，並且放開大罵讓他難堪。」

as I squeal past them into my spot."

And finally our last rung: we take action.

接著我們來到最後一層： 我們採取行動，

We back up, pull up behind his car,

我們倒車，停在他車後， 按喇叭，搖下車窗， 嚷嚷幾句話大聲抗議。

honk our horn, and roll down our window

to scream a few choice words as well.

Now imagine,

現在想像一下，那人快速走來，道歉。

he walks over quickly, apologizing.

His wife, who's almost due with their first baby,

他的妻子，似乎快要生了他們第一個寶寶， 在商場裡頭叫他趕過來

called him from inside the mall to say she is in labor

她說她感到陣痛，需要立刻去醫院。

and needs to get to the hospital immediately.

We're momentarily shocked, apologize profusely,

我們立即感到驚訝、道歉，在他跑去找入口處時祝福他好運。

and wish him luck as he rushes toward the entrance.

What just happened here?

剛剛發生什麼事情？什麼改變了？這有什麼重要？

What changed? Why is this so significant?

In our parking lot example,

在我們停車場的例子中，

our beliefs were short-circuited by the ladder of the other individual.

我們的想法被梯子中的個人因素所左右，

"My wife is in labor, I need to get there quick,

「我太太在陣痛中，我需要快點趕過去，

there's a parking spot. Whew!

有一個停車位。呼 ！

Oh, jeez, I cut someone off.

哦，糟了，我插隊了。我得快點道歉， 不然他們會認為我是個混蛋。」

I'd better apologize quickly so they don't think I'm a jerk."

But what if we were able to short-circuit our ladders ourselves?

但如果我們能自己左右我們自己的梯子呢？

Proactively, by choice?

動用選擇權？

Guess what? We can!

猜猜看？是的，我們可以 ！

Let's return to our unique human function of free will.

讓我們回想人類獨特的自由意志功能。

Next time you notice yourself reacting to your experience,

下一次你發現你作出根據自己經驗的反應，

pay focused attention to your ladder.

注意一下你的梯子。

Ask yourself what beliefs are at play,

問問自己，什麼樣的想法在發揮作用，它們從哪裡來。

where do they come from?

What data and observations did you filter in

你選擇了哪些資料和觀察結果 使你有這個看法，為什麼？

as a result of your beliefs,

and why?

Are your assumptions valid and supported by facts?

你的假設有效嗎？它們是以事實為根據的嗎？

Would a different set of assumptions create different feelings,

一套不同的假設會創造不同的感受 並導致新的和更好的結論和行動嗎？

and result in new and better conclusions and actions?

We all have our own unique ladder.

我們都有自己獨特的梯子。

Be mindful of yours,

請留意你的，並也幫助其他人看到他們的。

and help others to see theirs.