Idea Tree

An idea tree is a tree diagram for organising ideas, arguments, and discussions. CF's central tool for making ideas critisable.

What an idea tree looks like

• Root node. The main claim or topic.
• Children. Arguments for, against, or refining the parent.
• Leaves. Sub-arguments, evidence, examples.
• Reply nodes. "This answers that criticism."

What idea trees are for

• Organisation. Make complex discussions tractable.
• Clarity. State which argument addresses which.
• Paths Forward. Trees show which criticisms are answered.
• Brainstorming. Sketch as you think.
• Debate. Map a discussion as it happens.

Why trees

• Trees mirror argument structure. A claim has supporting and opposing points.
• Visual. External memory; doesn't count against conscious attention.
• Sharable. Public, like a World 3 object.

How to build one

1. State the root claim. What's the topic?
2. Brainstorm branches. What are the main arguments?
3. Add sub-branches. What are the sub-arguments?
4. Mark replies. "This answers that."
5. Identify open questions. Unreplied branches are paths forward for critics.

What idea trees are not

• Not a flowchart. It's an argument map.
• Not a mind-map.: Mind-maps are free-form; trees have direction.
• Not exhaustive. It's a sketch of the important points.

"Tree diagrams are an intellectual tool for organizing ideas." — criticalfallibilism.com