What do people mean when they say that in law school you have to learn to "think a different way?"?
547522
"Thinking like a lawyer" involves two different sets of skills.\n\nThe first is the ability to formulate general rules that function as templates. Sometimes these rules are clearly stated, while other times you need to piece them together from long winded explanations in case opinions.\n\nThe second is the ability to pick out what facts are relevant to a given issue, and to understand how to apply those facts to one or more of your rules to come to a conclusion.\n\nFrom my observation, the average person jumps to the conculsion, then tries to find facts to support that conclusion. The lawyer, on the other hand, starts from a premise (the rule), applies the facts, and figures out what the result would be. If they don't like the answer, then they try to find a different rule that may also be appropriate, and try again. \n\nThat latter aspect is what tends to bother non-lawyers most. A lawyer may come up with two completely different answers, given the same set of facts, just by applying different rules. Being able to 'think like a lawyer' means being able to keep those different results in your head, and thus being able to argue either conclusion based on the starting rule.\n\nMost people think the facts only lead to one conclusion, since they are subconsiously assuming one one rule can apply. And since very few people are consciously aware of the assumptions they are making, it is difficult for them to see an alternate perspective. But that's what a lawyer is trained to do.
991131
Everyone lives their life differently.\n\nOne person sleeps during the day, another at night.\nOne person prefers Pasta, the other prefers Steak.\nOne person wears blue all the time, another wears tie-dye.\n\nIt doesn't matter what others think about what you should be doing or what you should be or where you should be in life. It's YOUR life, not theirs.\n\nThere's people that are elderly AND are virgins. Why? Maybe sex wasn't as appealing to them as society makes it out to be now.\nThere's people that drive like maniacs on the roads. Why? Because they're trying to get somewhere in a hurry, or just don't care about the law.\nThere's lawyers. Why? Well, because we have to have a balance between good and evil, and we all know what side the lawyers are on. (LOL) Just kidding.\n\nWhat I'm trying to say is, is that some think that others should be a certain way because it's in style, or because they're that way and someone isn't.. so they point that out.\n\nWhat's my advice? Live your life. It's yours, not theirs. If you're happy with the way your life is going, then keep going! Don't put YOUR life to a stop to live YOUR life THEIR way. If you end up getting married, then you'll cross that bridge when you come to it.\n\nEnjoy your life, go live it your way.
878089
It means that you have to have your own ideas and the gumption to go out on your own regardless of what others think. If you are a sheep and follow what others say then you are not a leader are you?
690905
It basically is saying that someone has no common sense as it is telling the person to go "pound sand... down gopher/ratholes" (trying to block them in) - kind of a stupid make-work project for someone not bright enough to be placed on any important task
772332
the simple answer is unauthordox thinking. as opposed to the usual way of solving a problem. example. -problem; how do I stop my dog biting. usual answers - change dog\n                                                           get a muzzle\n                                                          etc\noutside the box thinking pull dogs teeth.\nyou see? outside the box means beyond conventional or unique
33041
College helps shape the way you think (its not exactly what you've learned, but how you apply it)
533512
It's a similar thing to saying think with your head not your heart. I think with my brain sometimes, and my heart others, and my tummy others.
741411
There is an excellent book in Barnes and Noble\non The English Language. It refers not only to language but how thinking starts. My answer is "yes". Thinking is cultivated through relationships whether they are vocal or non-vocal (reading).\nOnce beliefs are established, changing a thinking style is almost impossible, unless the person reaches a place of desperation because they realize their thinking has ruined their life. Some people then go to God, some to therapists, some to friends.
505278
School, huh?\n\nOr do you mean learning things?\nLearning about things you dont even care about isnt that bad, it never hurts to have knowledge and be prepared for things to come. \n\nBut school (as the organisation) sux!\nIts focus is on subjects that prepare you for your work life and many times peoples potential gets strangled by the school system, even guys like Einstein didnt do so hot in school.\n\nThe old romans had a saying:\n\n"Non scholae sed vitae discimus"\nWhich supposedly means: Not for school but for life we learn.\n\nNow think that one over!\nIf you want to get technical about it it also means:\n\nSchool isnt life!\n\nSo there! \nWho needs it :p
1127310
that a person needs to think for him/her self and not go along with the "mob" mentality
49196
YES.\n\nCORNERING NOT THAT PERSON..\n\nIT MEANS CORNERING HIS IDEAS, VIEWS ETC..
481864
I am an EMS (Emergency Medical Services) instructor.  I see about 30 new students a semester in my classes.  Many of the skills I teach have no room for variation or personal technique.  \n\nTherefore, using the principles of learning that include, seeing, hearing, and doing - I talk students (and myself) through skills, e.i. starting an IV in an external jugular vein "... the vein runs from the angle of the jaw to the midclavicuar line. Tilt the patient to a negative ten degree angle ..."\n\nI think you get the point.  \n\nSecondly it's  a parent thing.  We try to guide our children thought example.  It is very hard to show someone our thought process therefore we as parents "talk thought it" so as out children can learn.\n\nLastly, it is a sign not enough free time and lack of beer.
143913
This means that the person decided that something was a fact but they were making incorrect assumptions about the situation.  This caused them to draw conclusions that were incorrect.  They "built" their ideas on a poor foundation of knowledge.\n\nAn example: \nLet's say you visited the mall and it is completely packed with people.  You would think that this was a busy thriving mall that many people liked and offered a good variety of products which has led to its success. You are "building" your opinion on the "premise(idea)" that malls that are filled with people are doing well financially.\n\nHowever, if someone told you a missing piece of information: that the mall was having a closing sale where everything in the mall was 65% off.  You would realize that the mall wasn't doing well financially and that it was doing so badly that it must be shut down.  You "built (formed)" your opinions/thoughts on the "false (incorrect) premise (idea)" that all busy malls are malls that are successful.
708256
Usually if someone has to tell you something it means they aren't sure of their own intention. They want you to believe what they don't believe themselves.\n\nI see something like that as a warning not to trust them because something is up.
858792
It means you make less and that you may want to figure out how to earn more.  Doesnt mean they are smarter just in a better position.
887929
It depends on the situation and how it's done.  Done improperly or inappropriately, it can sound like you are trying to pick an argument with someone, or can come across as having no respect for the other party.  But if it is done well, and the other person understands/knows that you are playing devil's advocate, it can really get people's thoughts rolling.  There's nothing wrong with thinking outside the box, but be careful in your approach.
732861
Could it be?  Yes?  Would it likely be?  No.  As a jurist myself I can tell you my own experience, which I believe to be common.\n\nFirst, law school does not breed independent thinkers, creativity, etc.  It's all about learning how to do legal research on precedent.  Second, when you hear that lawyers who seek to succeed in their business today spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 hours per week at their jobs, for up to the first 10 years of their career, know that this is not an exaggeration.\n\nNow, as far as your creative license goes, while the field you choose to practice in is important, all lawyers are very limited in what they can practically do and argue in each case.  Analytical thinking is important, but don't go into law thinking that you'll get a 'Law and Order', 'LA Law', etc. type case more than once in a lifetime, if that.  For the most part law is a dry, unforgiving, but lucrative business.  In my experience, the best lawyers are the people that would make they best, most cut-throat of business-people in different circumstances.\n\nI myself went in for the money.  I left early on when I realize that I would be good and rich, but utterly unhappy.  I went the academic route instead and now am much happier.  It's more important to ask yourself what your priorities are in life (what makes you happy?  Money?  Family? Relaxation?) than reading tea leaves as to potential careers.  Pay attention to the classes you truly enjoy.  It may be that you'll fall in love with photography, or chemistry, you just never know.  Just don't box yourself in too early.  Good luck.