Field Observation of Reflective Contexts and Thinking in Stereo

Your first exercise is based on the terminology in the Introduction to the Five Disciplines of Thought. Specifically, over the next few days try to notice situations which are "reflective contexts" -- situations in which rationales (arguments or explanations) are being exchanged. You might be in a lunch conversation about what makes a piece of music good, talking with friends about political topic, or working through personal decision. Go back to the definition of "reflective context" to be sure you're focusing on the right kind of situation. When you notice a reflective context in your experience, try to make observations that would help you answer the following questions:

• What led the participants (including yourself) to enter into reason giving?
• How they relate to each other, what is the overall tone and focus of the reflective context?
• Did any of the participants engage in "thinking in stereo"? If so, how?
• What resolution, if any, did the participants come to?

Write up your results in a brief paragraph for each reflective contexts you observe. Try to find at least three contexts.