Analysing your IQ
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Addition by subtraction—removing the negative is often more effective than adding the positive.
Via Negativa isn't just theory—it's a practical framework for better decisions. This page explains how it works and how to apply it.
Instead of adding new habits, eliminate bad ones. Instead of more features, remove friction.
Via Negativa works by providing a reliable heuristic for a common class of problems. Instead of reinventing decision-making each time, you apply a tested pattern.
Stop eating junk food (subtraction) before adding supplements (addition).
This model is most useful when you're stuck. If your current approach isn't working, Via Negativa often reveals the hidden constraint.
Over-applying: Not every problem benefits from this model. Match the tool to the situation.
Under-applying: People learn the model but don't practice it. Application takes repetition.
Misunderstanding the principle: Surface-level understanding leads to poor execution. Study the examples.
Ignoring context: The same model works differently in different domains. Adapt accordingly.
Identify a current decision you're facing. Write down the assumptions you're making. Challenge each one.
Look at a past failure. Apply Via Negativa retroactively—would it have changed the outcome?
Teach the model to someone else. If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
Set a reminder to apply this model once per week for the next month. Track the results.
Via Negativa often pairs well with other Problem Solving models. Combining frameworks multiplies their power.
Mental models require specific cognitive traits to execute. Do you have the Emotional Health for this?
Addition by subtraction—removing the negative is often more effective than adding the positive.
Instead of adding new habits, eliminate bad ones. Instead of more features, remove friction.
Stop eating junk food (subtraction) before adding supplements (addition).
Use Via Negativa when facing complex decisions in the problem solving domain, when conventional approaches aren't working, or when you need a structured framework for analysis.
Via Negativa is used by strategic thinkers, business leaders, and anyone who needs to make high-stakes decisions under uncertainty. It's particularly popular in investing, startups, and engineering.
Yes. Mental models are learnable skills, not innate talents. The key is deliberate practice—actively applying the model to real decisions, not just reading about it.