In reference to Michael's comments:
>I have found at least one important contribution to this list by David
>Sless. It is the charge that "no-one has yet offered me new knowledge that
>will improve my practice". I believe that this is important because it
>shows that his evaluation is based on improvements to production.
I would like to comment, that unless one reflects on the new knowledge, makes
the effort to apply the new knowledge or at least absorb it in a way which
includes reflection it is really impossible to judge (I would suggest) whether
or not it has led to improvements to production. These are not events which
happen overnight nor is new knowledge something which is done to someone like a
brain implant. It is really more like a new tool. In the early days of
computers being able to build a computer that made dots go across the cathode
ray screen was hot stuff. Did it improve the practice of any profession, yes,
almost every profession but not then. There is a big difference between
knowledge and action but they are connected through volition. So if a person is
looking for some tangible action result in their own practice, I would have to
suggest that it be preceded by the volition to connect the knowledge with
previous knowledge and then will it into action.
There is also the problem that there is a learning cycle which goes like this:
unconscious incompetence to conscious incompetence to conscious competence to
unconscious competence. Whether we are learning to take our first baby steps or
walk on the moon we do go through that cycle.
I can ice skate but I cannot do a one skate spin. Could I learn to incorporate
this knowledge/theory based skill into my skating? Would theory about the body
and physics help me? Yes on both counts. Will I do it? No, I do not want to put
my energy there. So that my friends is free will. I do not wish to will myself
to learn these things. Does that mean that theory or knowledge is unnecessary
or a waste? I don't think so. It just means I, me, the person I am, does not
want to invest myself in the process of learning and applying the knowledge
necessary to spin on one skate. Fortunately no one is holding a gun to my head
and telling me to do it.
Maybe we need to get back to a working person's definition of theory. I would
suggest it is thinking about stuff, the hows and whys, the results, the logic,
the illogic (apparent magic), the observable and the imagined?
Jan
Jan Coker
C3-10 Underdale Campus
University of South Australia
+61 8 8302 6919
"There is no way to peace, peace is the way"
Gandhi
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