''Thinking begins in what may fairly enough be called a forked-
road situation, a situation which is ambiguous, which presents a
dilemma, which proposes alternatives. As long as our activity
glides smoothly along from one thing to another, or as long as
we permit our imagination to entertain fancies at pleasure,
there is no call for reflection. Difficulty or obstruction in
the way of reaching a belief brings us, however, to a pause. In
the suspense of uncertainty, we metaphorically climb a tree; we
try to find some standpoint from which we may survey additional
facts and, getting a more commanding view of the situation, may
decide how the facts stand related to one another.'' -John Dewey
