Internal and External Reference Points for Learning and Change

Each of us works with our own experience and thought in unique ways, though like noses, while each is different, there are many similarities.  Inductive and deductive reasoning serve to illustrate the point.  Deductive reasoning starts with something that exists and uses logic to break it down to its components.  Many mystery stories rely on deductive reasoning to solve the crimes.  Inductive reasoning starts with intuition and builds rather than breaking things down.  The connections need to be validated and inferences need to be checked out.

Some of us rely on external reference points to guide us.  We make the opinions of others a key factor in our own decisions and responses.  Others rely on internal reference points, "marching to the tune of our own drummer."

In the end, each of us is responsible for ourselves.  While we can make use of mirrors and feedback, we still need to make our own choices and deal with the consequences of these choices.