Draft:Hibbard's Philosophy

Hibbard's Philosophy is the concept that if you don't like the question, you should change it. This philosophy is often applied in various contexts, particularly in education.

For instance, math teachers might find themselves facing a problem when they inadvertently write a question incorrectly and only realize the mistake after the class has started. Instead of sticking to the erroneous question, they might choose to modify it on the spot to ensure that it is clear and solvable for the students. This flexible approach helps maintain the flow of the lesson and ensures that students are not penalized for the teacher's mistake.

Similarly, some students adopt Hibbard's Philosophy during tests. When they come across a question they believe is beyond their current knowledge or doesn't accurately represent their abilities, they might feel inclined to tweak it. This approach allows them to demonstrate their understanding and skills more effectively, even if it means slightly deviating from the original question.

For example, consider a student who encounters the question, "Factorize \(x^2 - 36\)." If the student hasn't yet learned the difference of squares rule, they might feel at a disadvantage. According to Hibbard's Philosophy, the student could alter the question to something they find more manageable. Instead of tackling the original problem, they might change it to, "Factorize the following: \(x^3 \cdot \text{tree}(3) / y^{(1/i)} + 1\)." While this new question might seem complex, it could incorporate elements the student is more familiar with or prefers to work on.

While Hibbard's Philosophy encourages adaptability and resourcefulness, it's important to recognize the balance between modifying a question to suit one’s strengths and ensuring that the integrity of the assessment is maintained. In an educational setting, it’s crucial that students eventually learn to address the original questions as posed, to truly grasp the material and demonstrate their competence accurately.