RE: Help understanding theory of knowledge.

[Richard White <WhiteR@Approach.com>]

>>Could anyone please help me to understand...

Perhaps it would help to take a look at the levels of learning as described
by Ackoff on one of the Deming videotapes: data, information, knowledge,
understanding, wisdom.

The statement "yesterday my wife had a headache, but it went away by tea
time," would be information but not knowledge because it does not provide a
basis for predicting anything. I could, however, develop theories which
could lead to knowledge. For example: I theorize that when next my wife has
a headache, it will go away by tea time. Over time, the testing of my theory
will lead to knowledge and the ability to make rational predictions. If I
learn that my wife's headaches can rationally be predicted to go away by tea
time, I can go further and search for the reasons why they do so, at which
time I will have acquired some understanding.

Does anyone know of a readily available resource where Vic can find a more
complete and cogent discussion of these levels of learning?

Richard A. White
Approach Inc.
100 Summit Lake Drive
Valhalla, NY 10595
whiter@approach.com
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