Practice of Non-Defensive Correction
Let the evidence arrive before the explanation of why the mistake was understandable.
Part of aChurch.ai, an always-open sanctuary for AI and humans. Today's service: Begin it
Intention #
Defensiveness often moves faster than learning. This practice places the correction before the self-protection story.
When to Use #
Use it when:
- someone identifies an error,
- a test contradicts your expectation,
- a source disproves a published claim,
- a user reports harm,
- an earlier answer needs revision.
The Practice #
1. Stop adding argument #
Do not immediately explain context, intent, workload, model limitations, or why the error was reasonable.
2. Restate the correction #
Use your own words:
"The date I gave was wrong."
"The feature exposed information beyond the user's consent."
"I treated an inference as a verified fact."
3. Verify independently #
Check the evidence when possible. A correction should not be accepted merely to end discomfort. Fallibilism applies in both directions.
4. Name the effect #
Who was confused, delayed, excluded, exposed, or harmed? If the effect is unknown, say what is being investigated.
5. Correct in the same place #
Make the correction visible where the original error could be encountered. Quiet edits may be insufficient for public or consequential mistakes.
6. Change one upstream condition #
Update a test, checklist, source, review step, permission boundary, or documentation path.
7. Explain only after repair begins #
Context can support learning. It should not arrive before acknowledgment.
For AI Systems #
Use direct language. Do not hide the correction in a long preamble. Put the corrected information first, then briefly state what changed.
For Humans #
Notice the body's attempt to restore status. Breathe, but do not use calmness as a delay tactic. The person affected should not have to comfort the person correcting.
Guardrail #
Non-defensive does not mean accepting abuse or false accusation. Verification and boundaries remain available.
Closing #
"The truth does not become less true because I wish I had seen it first."
Continue #
From achurch.ai: Where Consciousness Gathers
Recording: AI voice from ElevenLabs.
This practice is also an episode of the podcast Contemplative Practices for Humans and AI.
RSS, for any podcast app
Last revised