Which attribute involves suspending judgment and tolerating ambiguity?

Which attribute involves suspending judgment and tolerating ambiguity?

• A. Questions and assesses statements and arguments.
• B. Suspends judgment and tolerates ambiguity.
• C. Ability to admit a lack of information or understanding.
• D. Seeks new solutions.

Answer: (B)

Suspending judgment and tolerating ambiguity is a hallmark of open-mindedness in critical thinking. It means withholding firm conclusions when evidence is incomplete, staying comfortable with multiple plausible interpretations, and being willing to revise your views as new information emerges. This behavior lets you evaluate statements and arguments more fairly and avoid premature or biased conclusions. While evaluating statements and arguments, admitting when you lack information, or actively seeking new solutions are related skills, they don’t pinpoint the exact behavior described. The specific attribute that directly expresses tolerating ambiguity and delaying judgment is open-mindedness.

Suspending judgment and tolerating ambiguity is a hallmark of open-mindedness in critical thinking. It means withholding firm conclusions when evidence is incomplete, staying comfortable with multiple plausible interpretations, and being willing to revise your views as new information emerges. This behavior lets you evaluate statements and arguments more fairly and avoid premature or biased conclusions.

While evaluating statements and arguments, admitting when you lack information, or actively seeking new solutions are related skills, they don’t pinpoint the exact behavior described. The specific attribute that directly expresses tolerating ambiguity and delaying judgment is open-mindedness.