fourthat

Fourthat is a term used to describe a four-part analytic approach to evaluating arguments, claims, or design decisions. The framework identifies four interconnected components introduced by a that-clause: the central claim (the That-claim), the supporting data or reasoning (That-evidence), the underlying assumptions or presuppositions (That-assumptions), and the resulting consequences or implications (That-implications). The name highlights the common practice of structuring critique around that-clauses, which are frequently used to express propositions.

In practice, fourthat analysts examine each component for clarity, relevance, and bias. They assess whether the evidence actually supports the claim; whether the assumptions are justified; whether the implications are plausible and ethically acceptable. The method is used in education to teach critical thinking and in some decision-making contexts to map reasoning explicitly.

History: Fourthat emerged in informal discussion and teaching materials in the 2010s and has appeared in varying forms in rhetoric and logic resources. There is no single canonical definition, and implementations differ in terminology and granularity.

Applications: In classrooms, fourthat helps students deconstruct arguments; in policy analysis, it can reveal hidden assumptions; in artificial intelligence, it provides a template for explaining model decisions by tracing claims, data, assumptions, and consequences.

Limitations: The framework relies on the user’s ability to articulate premises and may oversimplify complex arguments. It is best used as a complementary tool alongside other analytic methods.

See also: critical thinking, argumentation theory, logic, explainable AI.