Jootsing

Jootsing, a term Dennett credits to Douglas Hofstadter, means jumping out of a system by changing an assumption or rule that structures its usual moves.

Jumping out of a system means changing a governing assumption or rule rather than merely choosing another allowed move. Understanding the existing system helps reveal what the change would accomplish and which constraints still matter. The result should be evaluated by a purpose beyond its novelty.

A convention is not necessarily arbitrary, and a structural constraint can sometimes be changed by changing the larger system. Treat a proposed departure as a hypothesis about a different arrangement. Make the dependency visible, test a bounded version, and compare the result with what the original rules were helping preserve.

When to use it

Use when repeated moves within an established approach leave the same limitation intact and when a bounded alternative can be explored responsibly.

How it can help

Understand the rule's function, design a coherent alternative, and test whether the departure improves the result for a stated purpose.