Thinking as a Science - Thinking with Method

We’re drowning in information. Every day, we face problems at work, at home, online. But most of us tackle them the same way: we guess. We grab the first idea that pops up, argue about it, then wonder why nothing changes. Henry Hazlitt’s old book Thinking as a Science has a fix. It’s not about being smarter—it’s about being smarter about how you think. Let’s break it down.

Why Your Brain Needs a Map

Imagine you’re lost in a forest. You panic. You run in random directions, hoping to find a way out. That’s how most people handle problems. They rush. They don’t stop to ask: Wait—where am I trying to go?

Hazlitt says thinking without method is like that frantic running. You waste energy. You go in circles. For example, if your team keeps missing deadlines, everyone blames something else: “Not enough people!” “The tools are outdated!” “Bad communication!” But nobody asks: What’s the real problem here?

Try this instead:

Write down the goal. (“Finish projects on time.”)

List what’s blocking it. (Late approvals? Unclear tasks?)

Pick ONE block to fix first.

The Two-Question Trick

Most arguments happen because people solve different problems. Say your app’s users keep quitting. Your designer wants a prettier interface. Your developer wants faster load times. Your boss wants more ads. Chaos, right?

Hazlitt’s fix: ask two questions.

What exactly are we solving? (Are users leaving because the app is slow, confusing, or something else?)

How do we test our ideas? (Try a speed upgrade for half the users. See if they stay longer.)

This cuts through the noise. Instead of fighting over opinions, you let facts decide.

Steal Ideas (Yes, Really)

Good thinkers aren’t geniuses. They’re thieves. They borrow solutions from everywhere.

Example: A coffee shop owner wants to boost morning sales. Instead of guessing, she looks at:

Gyms: They offer quick smoothies after workouts.

Trains: They use loyalty cards for frequent riders.

Apps: They send push notifications for deals.

She mixes these: loyalty stamps for morning customers + a quick “breakfast bundle” menu. Sales jump.

Hazlitt calls this comparative thinking. You don’t need original ideas—just smart combos.

Why “Just Try It” Beats “Just Think It”

We love big plans. New laws! Company policies! But big plans often fail because they’re based on guesses, not reality.

A town wanted less litter. Instead of fines (a guess), they:

Mapped trash hotspots (parks, bus stops).

Asked people: “Why litter here?” (No trash cans. Bored teens.)

Tested fixes: Added cans + free basketball nights.

Litter dropped. No new rules needed.

This is empirical thinking—solving by doing, not debating.

How to Start Today

You don’t need a degree. Just habits:

Pause before reacting. Ask: “What’s the actual problem?”

Steal solutions. What worked for similar issues?

Test cheaply. Try small experiments before big bets.

Example: Stuck in traffic every morning?

Problem: Late to work.

Test solutions: Leave 15 mins earlier. Try a different route. Bike twice a week.

Steal ideas: A coworker takes back roads. A neighbor carpools.

In a week, you’ll know what works—without endless stress.

Thinking isn’t magic. It’s a skill. And like any skill, it gets better with practice. Stop guessing. Start mapping. Test. Adapt. Repeat.

The world’s full of noise. But with a little method, you can find the signal.