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undoware

in philosophy we say:

"Standardly, XYZ, but if I understand you, you're saying ABC, are you not? What motivates this difference?"

Key points:

-identify that you are making an explicit formal comparison to a usual solution

-convey a charitable attempt at understanding ("the Principle of Charity"), and how far it took you

- attempt to comprehend the problem being solved

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But is the contrast between what is “standard” and what is actually used? Or is it between what’s been informed by practice and what’s being suggested in theory?

Perhaps presenting the listener as being “out of line” with some form of expectation isn’t the best way to put them at ease. In fact, ideally neither person should feel out of line in a mutual interaction like this.

Perhaps, but I don't speak for myself -- I'm describing a practice that is well understood, like rules of the road.

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