Provide detailed assignments and clear expectations whenever possible. Stage 4 Reasoning. Characteristic assumptions of Stage 4 reasoning Knowledge is uncertain because of limitations of the knower. Beliefs are justified by idiosyncratic uses of evidence and opinion. Differences in points of view exist because of people's upbringing or because they deliberately distort information.
Evidence is used in support of a point of view along with unsubstantiated opinion.
Instructional goals for students Learn that interpretation is inherent in all understanding and that the uncertainty of knowledge is a consequence of the inability to know directly. Learn that some arguments can be evaluated as better within a domain on the basis of the adequacy of the evidence. Difficult tasks from a Stage 4 perspective Understanding that the nature of knowing itself leads to the uncertainty of knowledge. Understanding that all points of view are not equally valid. Understanding that opinions should be based on evidence.