[Host's note: I've changed the subject line; David proposed "Implicit
knowledge," but I'd like to have us keep the terminology Tacit and
Explicit, as in recent threads.]
I sure enjoyed Mike's diatribe about Nonaka and Takeuchi. I haven't read
the book, so I can take no position in the discussion, but I would like to
comment on a point.
>>>Tacit (implicit) knowledge cannot be converted into explicit
>>>knowledge.
>To be accurate, some of what is tacit can be converted. A tiny
>percentage of the whole. Why a tiny percentage? Because every word,
>every statement, every theory has a vast history of culture, language
>conventions, physical structure, cross-referencing thought, etc which
>cannot ever be made explicit. So a bit of what is implicit can be
>made explicit. And some of this is useful in learning. But there is
>much more embedded, implied, assumed and presupposed than will ever
>be touched on explicitly.
>I suggest that the job is to make the implicit available - very
>different from explicit in many cases - and to make the implicit
>manifest. There is often little need for much of it to be explicit.
In its ability to surface assumptions and get them into the open, and to
develop a shared consciousness around a particular issue, the practice of
dialogue is perhaps one of the best means of understanding what is
implicit without going through the (probably wasted) effort of making it
explicit. I don't have much experience with it, but it seems like a great
tool for honoring what belongs to the implicit realm of knowledge and yet
dealing with it in a way that informs what is in the explicit realm.
Mike closed with this comment:
>If they weren't taking on the whole thing and making themselves right, they'd
>be more interesting and get into less trouble for sloppy distinctions.
I've had the same thought about philosophers, theologians and parents.
Heh - I spose my kids do, too. There's a useful learning here
somewhere...
I'd like to close by echoing Carol Anne Ogdin's comment that Mike better
not start lurking now.
-- David E. Birren Phone: (608)267-2442 Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources Fax: (608)267-3579 Bureau of Management & Budget Internet: birred@dnr.state.wi.us .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. It is not necessary to change; survival is not mandatory. --W. Edwards Deming