Erittelemäajatusta

Erittelemäajatusta is a Finnish term used in education and argumentation studies to describe a method of handling a thought or statement by itemizing and examining its components. The term combines erittelemä, meaning to itemize or separate, with ajatusta, meaning thought or idea, and is often used to refer to explicit decomposition of a claim into its subclaims, evidence, and assumptions in order to assess coherence and validity.

Originating in Finnish discourse on critical thinking and knowledge organization, erittelemäajatusta is not a standard dictionary entry but a label found in pedagogical discussions and methodological writings. Its precise usage varies, but it generally signals a cautious, transparent approach to reasoning that makes implicit premises explicit.

In practice, applying erittelemäajatusta involves identifying a main claim, breaking it into constituent parts, evaluating the support offered for each part, examining the logical connections, and reconstructing a clearer, well-supported idea. It emphasizes clarity, traceability of reasoning, and the visibility of assumptions.

The concept is relevant in classrooms, debates, and qualitative research, where it supports activities such as argument mapping, structured outlining, and conceptual analysis. Related ideas include critical thinking, argument analysis, and decomposition techniques.

Notes: Given its limited standardization, the term should be understood within its specific scholarly or educational context, with attention to local definitions and applications. See also critical thinking, argument analysis, argument mapping, decomposition techniques.