Heuristic

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An approach to problem solving or learning using a practical method, not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, logical, or rational, but instead sufficient for reaching an immediate goal. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution. Heuristics can be mental shortcuts that ease the cognitive load of making a decision.

Heuristics are gold-dust in the hands of subject matter experts — because they require expertise and judgment to use them correctly — but a disaster in the hands of the great unwashed, for whom algorithms area much better bet.

If you want an empassioned advocate of heuristics as being not just faster and more convenient than “full English” of scientific method, but a different, better and basically more effective way of getting by, look no further than Gerd Gigerenzer, and books of his like Risk Savvy: How To Make Good Decisions.

Some heuristics: The most thoughtful opinions are expressed in two-star and four-star customer reviews

See also

• Policy as shorthand. Ok on the production line; dangerous at the frontier.
• Algorithm
• Substance and form
• Beware of shorthand, but it’s okay to generalise
• Maxims and arrows