Unlocking the Power of Many Models: Why Thinking with Multiple Perspectives Makes You Smarter

In a world overflowing with data and complexity, relying on a single explanation or model is like trying to navigate a dense forest with just one map. Scott E. Page’s book The Model Thinker introduces a compelling approach: many-model thinking. This approach encourages us to build and use a diverse set of models to better understand the world and make wiser decisions.

At its core, many-model thinking is about embracing complexity through multiplicity. Charlie Munger, one of the book’s inspirations, famously said, 'To become wise you’ve got to have models in your head. And you’ve got to array your experience—both vicarious and direct—on this latticework of models.' Instead of searching for a single 'right' model, we recognize that complex phenomena often require multiple overlapping explanations.

One of the scientific foundations supporting this approach is the Condorcet Jury Theorem. Originally about jurors voting on a verdict, it applies to models by showing that when multiple independent models each perform better than random guessing, aggregating their predictions through majority voting can yield near-perfect accuracy. This theorem, along with the Diversity Prediction Theorem, underscores the power of diversity in reducing errors and improving predictive performance.

However, the book also cautions about practical limits. Data dimensionality and attribute correlations constrain how many truly independent models we can build. Often, a handful of well-chosen, diverse models outperform a large crowd of similar ones.

Beyond theory, many-model thinking is a mindset that encourages humility and curiosity. It challenges us to question assumptions, embrace multiple viewpoints, and recognize the limitations of any single model. This is especially important when modeling human behavior, which is influenced by diversity, social context, biases, and adaptation.

The book also presents the REDCAPE framework, summarizing the seven powers of models: Reason, Explain, Design, Communicate, Act, Predict, and Explore. This comprehensive view highlights how models serve as tools not just for understanding but for action and innovation.

By adopting many-model thinking, individuals and organizations can navigate complexity more effectively, avoid overconfidence, and leverage the wisdom of diverse perspectives. Whether in economics, politics, science, or everyday decisions, this approach equips us to see the world more clearly and act more wisely.

For those interested in diving deeper, resources like the Harvard Business Review article 'Why Many-Model Thinkers Make Better Decisions' and summaries on bookey.app provide additional insights and practical applications of these ideas.[[0]](#__0)[[1]](#__1)[[2]](#__2)