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Stasis Theory: A set of questions that, when asked systematically, can help one to determine where disagreement between opposing sides begins. This trick can be used to discover a research question, or to discover a debatable topic.
An issue is said to be “in stasis” if opposing sides have agreed to disagree. By finding the point at which your issue is in stasis, you are able to find the point at whih your issue becomes debatable, researchable, and current.
Four Levels of Questions: You should start at the first level, moving toward the fourth level, stopping when there is not a clear “yes” or “no” answer to the question. All questions after your found point of disagreement are open for debate.
- Questions at the level of conjecture: Does the issue or topic exist? What are the causes or origins?
- Questions at the level of definition: What is it? What are its parts and how are they related?
- Questions at the level of quality: Is it good or bad? Is it bettr or worse than __________?
- Questions at the level of policy: What should be done about it?
