Principlev1PR-369
Before assuming you understand someone's reasoning…
Before assuming you understand someone's reasoning, articulate your reading of their underlying model and verify it with them directly.
Why This Is a Principle
Derives from Mental States Are Cognitively Imputable (theory of mind enables mental state imputation), Egocentric Anchoring in Perspective-Taking (egocentric anchoring produces insufficient adjustment), and Meaning as Receiver Construction (meaning is constructed by receivers). The principle prescribes verification as antidote to projection. Applies to negotiation, collaboration, conflict resolution.