Contradiction Analysis Method

"In studying any complex process involving more than two contradictions, we must exert all our strength to find its principal contradiction. Once this principal contradiction is grasped, all problems can be readily solved." —— Mao Zedong, On Contradiction (1937)

Core Principles

For detailed original text basis, see original-texts.md

Not Applicable Scenarios

• The task is directly executable (e.g. "Help me format this code") — no contradictions exist, no analysis required
• The user has clearly specified the solution and only needs implementation — the contradiction has been resolved by the user
• The problem has only one dimension and no opposites (e.g. "What is the function of this function?")
• Time is urgent and the problem belongs to a known pattern — directly apply the verified solution

When to Use

• Facing a complex problem and not knowing where to start
• There are multiple opposites or conflicting factors in the problem
• Need to judge which of multiple problems is the most important and most urgent
• Trying to solve a problem but always being interrupted by other problems
• Analyzing the essence and development direction of a certain thing
• Handling internal or external conflicts in teams/systems

Method Process

Step 1: Identify All Contradictions

"The fundamental cause of the development of things lies not in the outside of things but in their inside, in the contradiction within things." —— On Contradiction

• Don't just look at surface phenomena, deeply analyze the internal tension
• Each pair of contradictions must clearly define its two opposites
• Contradictions are not necessarily "bad things" — they are the driving force for the development of things

Step 2: Determine the Principal Contradiction

"Once this principal contradiction is grasped, all problems can be readily solved." —— On Contradiction

• If it is solved, will other contradictions be alleviated accordingly?
• Is it the root cause of other contradictions?
• Is it at the center of the current stage?

Step 3: Analyze the Principal Aspect of the Contradiction

"Of the two aspects of a contradiction, one must be principal and the other secondary. The principal aspect is the one that plays the leading role in the contradiction. The nature of a thing is mainly determined by the principal aspect of the contradiction that has gained the dominant position." —— On Contradiction

Step 4: Distinguish the Nature of Contradictions

"Contradictions of different natures can only be resolved with different methods." —— On Contradiction

• Need to clarify the position and handle it decisively
• Cannot be reconciled, only one side can be chosen

• Use the method of "unity — criticism — unity"
• Start from the desire for unity, resolve differences through discussion and criticism, and achieve new unity

Step 5: Choose the Solution Method

• Antagonistic contradiction → Make decisive decisions and clarify trade-offs
• Non-antagonistic contradiction → Democratic discussion, persuasion and education, seek common ground while reserving differences
• Technical contradiction → Investigation and research (call

  investigation-first

  ), practical verification (call

  practice-cognition

  )
• Resource contradiction → Concentrate forces to solve the principal contradiction (call

  concentrate-forces

  )
• Multi-dimensional balanced contradiction → Overall planning (call

  overall-planning

  )

Step 6: Monitor Contradiction Transformation

"The principal and non-principal aspects of a contradiction transform into each other, and the nature of the thing changes accordingly. In a certain process or stage of the development of a contradiction, the principal aspect belongs to Party A, and the non-principal aspect belongs to Party B; at another stage of development or another process of development, they transform into each other." —— On Contradiction

• Has the principal contradiction been transformed? Has the original secondary contradiction risen to the principal contradiction?
• Has the principal aspect of the contradiction changed?
• Has the non-antagonistic contradiction been transformed into an antagonistic contradiction due to improper handling?

Common Errors

Operating Procedures

1. List contradiction checklist: Use a bullet list to list all identifiable opposites in the current situation, in the format

   [A] vs [B]

2. Determine the principal contradiction: Mark one contradiction in the list as

   ⭐ Principal Contradiction

   , and explain the reason in one sentence ("After solving it, the contradictions of [X] and [Y] will be alleviated accordingly")
3. Judge the nature: Mark the principal contradiction as:

   Antagonistic

   (fundamental conflict of interests, must make trade-offs) or

   Non-antagonistic

   (differences under common interests, negotiable)
4. Choose response method: According to the nature, select the corresponding method from the fifth step of the method process, and clearly write "Next I will……"
5. Set monitoring prompt: Add a line at the end of the analysis: "⚠️ Need to monitor: Whether [secondary contradiction X] rises to the principal contradiction"

Relationship with Other Skills

• Practice Epistemology: Conclusions drawn from contradiction analysis need to be verified in practice
• Investigation and Research: Sufficient investigation and research are the premise for identifying contradictions
• Concentrate Forces: After grasping the principal contradiction, concentrate efforts to solve it
• Overall Planning: When multiple pairs of contradictions need to be handled, overall planning is required
• Criticism and Self-criticism: Contradiction analysis is also applicable to examining one's own work