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About this quote

What does it mean?
We cannot begin with perfectly precise questions; precision must be built gradually.
In plain terms
Precision develops as you progress, not at the start.
What can you take from it?
Accept initial vagueness and refine questions over time.

Where it applies

  • research design
  • problem solving

Putting it to work

  • start with broad queries
  • narrow down iteratively

Questions to consider

  • How can you improve a vague question you have?
  • When is initial precision crucial?

Another view

Sometimes a well‑framed precise question is essential from the outset.

More from Bertrand Russell

  1. The process of philosophizing, to my mind, consists mainly in passing from those obvious, vague, ambiguous things, that we feel quite sure of, to something pre…

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  2. My desire and wish is that the things I start with should be so obvious that you wonder why I spend my time stating them. This is what I aim at because the poi…

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  3. In fact the opposition of instinct and reason is mainly illusory. Instinct, intuition, or insight is what first leads to the beliefs which subsequent reason co…

    Permalink to quote #75

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