Knowledge: Models & Theories

personal995
Jun 12, 2024
9 min read

Updated: Dec 6, 2024

Index

On Various Forms of Knowledge
On Multidisciplinary Learning
On The Feynman Learning Model
On Bloom's Taxonomy
On Adult Learning Theory

Introduction

Models & Theories are essential tools for understanding, exploring, and interacting with the world around us. They help us unlock the mysteries of nature, solve practical problems, and drive progress and innovation in various fields of human endeavor.

With that in mind, first we want to align this with what we are trying to achieve. Ultimately we want to grow and achieve our Goals. The Models & Theories then, need to help us to formulate strategic plans that can do just so.

The thing with strategic plans is they are more often than not dealing with systems of chaos (human nature, environments, economies, complex adaptive systems etc), and as such can not be completely fixed. They need to be adaptable.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the American military officer and statesman, once said, "In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable."

There are very few perfect models or theories that suit every situation. Every individual's unique goals have specific requirements to successfully execute them.

However, there are often general, timeless, adaptable or customisable Models & Theories that can be utilised to begin building momentum, or which are suitable to create from, a unique and flexible strategic plan.

These Models & Theories are selected and continually curated with this aim in mind.

Get creative. Use the Models & Theories verbatim, if they serve you in that form. If not, use them purely as idea generators, as partials to build upon or as starting points to adapt and customise.

If none specifically suit, move on to the Self Review, Lessons and Case Studies and create your own working model.

Process

With your Values and Goals front of mind, what is it you are aiming to do or achieve? Once you have that clear for yourself:

Review all the Models & Theories below. Do any appear to provide the beginnings of a structure you can use as a strategic plan?
If so, start working through the steps and build momentum, adapting as it suits for your specific situation.
If not, do some partial aspects or a sum of parts approach to help you customise a strategic plan?
If still not, move on to the Self Review, Lessons and Case Studies and create your own working model.

Models & Theories

1. On Various Forms of Knowledge

Summary: We acquire knowledge through a myriad of channels such as direct experience, formal education, and social interactions. Effective learning, therefore, is often optimally achieved by employing a combination of these methods, recognizing that different types of knowledge complement and reinforce each other. Whether through practical skills gained from hands-on experience, theoretical understanding derived from textbooks, or interpersonal insights fostered through social interactions, a holistic approach to learning leverages the richness of these diverse knowledge forms to deepen comprehension and foster a well-rounded, adaptable understanding of the world.

Here are some common forms of knowledge and knowledge acquisition:

Explicit Knowledge: This is formal and codified knowledge that is easy to communicate. It can be expressed in words, numbers, and formulas. Examples include textbooks, manuals, and databases.

Tacit Knowledge: Tacit knowledge is informal and difficult to articulate. It is deeply rooted in personal experience, skills, and intuition. Tacit knowledge is often gained through practical, hands-on experience and is challenging to transfer to others.

Procedural Knowledge: This type of knowledge relates to knowing how to do something, often involving a sequence of steps or actions. It is practical and is associated with skills and procedures.

Declarative Knowledge: This form of knowledge involves knowing "what" – the facts, information, and concepts. It includes understanding principles, theories, and concepts.

Conceptual Knowledge: Conceptual knowledge involves understanding the relationships and connections between different pieces of information. It goes beyond rote memorization and focuses on comprehension and synthesis.

Meta-Knowledge: This is knowledge about knowledge. It includes awareness of one's own cognitive processes, learning strategies, and the ability to regulate and adapt one's thinking.

Implicit Knowledge: Implicit knowledge is not consciously known or easily expressed. It may be embedded in actions, routines, or behaviors. People may not be aware that they possess this knowledge.

Cultural Knowledge: Knowledge that is shared within a particular culture, including beliefs, traditions, customs, and values. It encompasses the collective wisdom of a group of people.

Interpersonal Knowledge: This involves understanding and navigating social relationships, including empathy, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with others.

Metacognitive Knowledge: This type of knowledge relates to understanding one's own cognitive processes, such as awareness of one's thinking, problem-solving strategies, and decision-making processes.

Domain-specific Knowledge: Knowledge that is specific to a particular field or domain, such as mathematics, science, literature, or art.

Experiential Knowledge: Knowledge gained through direct, personal experience rather than through formal education or external sources.

Conclusion: These forms of knowledge are not mutually exclusive, and often, an individual's knowledge base will include a combination of these types. Combine and utilise as best serves you and your circumstances.

2. On Multidisciplinary Learning

Summary: Charlie Munger, the Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett's longtime business partner, is known for his multidisciplinary approach to learning and decision-making. Munger believes that the best way to achieve success is to develop a broad understanding of various disciplines and use that knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Here is an overview of Charlie Munger's Multidisciplinary Learning Model and the steps involved:

Acquire a Latticework of Mental Models

Munger emphasizes the importance of building a latticework of mental models. Mental models are frameworks or concepts borrowed from various disciplines such as psychology, economics, biology, physics, and more. These models serve as thinking tools that help in understanding and solving problems.

Learn from Multiple Disciplines

Munger encourages individuals to go beyond their core area of expertise and learn from a wide range of disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of the world and helps in making better decisions.

Understand the Core Principles

Instead of memorizing facts, Munger advocates understanding the core principles and fundamental concepts of different disciplines. This deep understanding allows for better integration of knowledge and facilitates better problem-solving.

Apply Mental Models Across Disciplines

Munger advises applying mental models across different domains. The ability to transfer insights from one discipline to another enhances creativity and innovation. This cross-disciplinary thinking is a key aspect of the latticework of mental models.

Conclusion: Charlie Munger's multidisciplinary learning model emphasizes the importance of acquiring a diverse range of mental models from various disciplines to enhance decision-making. By understanding core principles across different fields and applying these insights across domains, individuals can achieve a more comprehensive and innovative approach to problem-solving. This interdisciplinary strategy fosters deeper understanding, creativity, and better-informed decisions, ultimately contributing to greater success.

“What is elementary, worldly wisdom? Well, the first rule is that you can’t really know anything if you just remember isolated facts and try and bang ‘em back. If the facts don’t hang together on a latticework of theory, you don’t have them in a usable form.”

Charlie Munger

3. On The Feynman Learning Model

Summary: Feynman's Learning Model, derived from the works of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, is a method for understanding and learning complex topics. The model is based on the idea that the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else.

Here's an overview of Feynman's Learning Model along with the steps involved:

Choose a Concept: Identify the concept or topic you want to learn or understand better.

Explain the Concept in Simple Terms: Attempt to explain the concept in simple, everyday language as if you were teaching it to a child. This helps to ensure that you truly understand the material.

Identify Gaps in Your Understanding: As you explain the concept, pay attention to any areas where you struggle or feel uncertain. These are the gaps in your understanding that need further clarification.

Go Back to the Source Material: Return to the original source material, whether it's a textbook, lecture notes, or other learning resources. Review the parts that were unclear or that you couldn't explain well.

Simplify and Clarify: Break down complex information into simpler terms. Try to find alternative explanations or examples that resonate with you.

Teach It Again: Teach the concept again, incorporating the new insights and clarity you've gained from revisiting the source material. Use analogies, metaphors, and examples to reinforce your understanding.

Repeat Until Mastery: Repeat the process until you can explain the concept fluently and in simple terms without referring to the source material. Mastery is achieved when you can teach the concept confidently and comprehensively.

Conclusion: The Feynman Learning Model, developed by physicist Richard Feynman, emphasizes mastering complex topics by teaching them to others in simple terms. By identifying gaps in understanding during this process and revisiting source materials to clarify these areas, learners can deepen their comprehension. This iterative approach of simplifying, clarifying, and teaching ensures thorough mastery of the subject matter.

“I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”

Richard P. Feynman

4. On Bloom's Taxonomy

Summary: Bloom's Taxonomy is a framework that classifies educational objectives into levels of complexity and specificity. It was developed by Benjamin Bloom and a group of educators in the 1950s. The taxonomy is often depicted as a pyramid, with each level representing a different cognitive skill. The original taxonomy had six levels, but later revisions expanded it to include a seventh level.

Here's an overview of the six original levels, plus the extra seventh:

Knowledge (Remembering):

Description: Recall of facts and information.
Example: define, list, name, identify, recall, memorize.

Comprehension (Understanding):

Description: Understanding the meaning of information.
Example: summarize, explain, interpret, describe, classify, infer.

Application (Applying):

Description: Using knowledge in a practical or real-world context.
Example: apply, solve, demonstrate, illustrate, use, show.

Analysis (Analyzing):

Description: Breaking down information into parts and understanding their relationships.
Example: analyze, compare, contrast, differentiate, examine, investigate.

Synthesis (Creating):

Description: Combining elements to form a new whole or generating new ideas.
Example: create, design, compose, invent, formulate, generate.

Evaluation (Evaluating):

Description: Making judgments about the value or quality of ideas, methods, or materials.
Example: evaluate, judge, assess, criticize, justify, defend.

Creation (Creating at a higher level):

Description: The ability to put together different elements or ideas to create something new.
Example: generate, plan, produce, design, invent, compose.

Conclusion: Bloom's Taxonomy is a hierarchical framework for categorizing educational goals, developed by Benjamin Bloom and colleagues. It consists of seven levels: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation, and the highest level, Creation, which involves generating new ideas or products. Utilizing Bloom's Taxonomy can help individuals structure learning to promote higher-order thinking and deeper understanding.

5. On Adult Learning Theory

Summary: Andragogy is a theory of adult learning developed by Malcolm Knowles. Knowles, an American educator, introduced this concept in the 1960s, and it has since become a fundamental framework for understanding how adults learn and how educational practices should be tailored to meet the unique needs of adult learners.

Here are the key principles and steps of Andragogy:

Andragogy Principles

Self-Concept of the Learner: Adults need to be seen and treated as self-directed individuals who are capable of taking responsibility for their own learning.

Role of the Learner's Experience: The experiences of adult learners are valuable resources that should be acknowledged and utilized in the learning process.

Readiness to Learn: Adults are more ready to learn when they perceive a need to know something. Learning is most effective when it is problem-centered and focused on real-life situations.

Orientation to Learning: Adults are task-oriented and want to apply what they learn immediately. Learning activities should be designed to be relevant and applicable.

Motivation: Adults are motivated by internal factors such as the desire for autonomy, recognition, and self-esteem. The learning environment should support these motivations.

Steps in Andragogy

Diagnosing Needs: Identify the learners' needs and goals. Understand what they want to achieve and why they are motivated to learn.

Creating a Learning Environment: Establish a positive and supportive learning environment that respects adult learners' experiences and encourages active participation.

Involving Learners in Planning: Engage adult learners in the planning process, allowing them to contribute their ideas and preferences for the learning experience.

Utilizing Experience: Incorporate the learners' existing experiences into the learning process, creating connections between new information and their prior knowledge.

Incorporating Problem-Solving: Design learning activities that involve real-life problem-solving, enabling adults to apply their knowledge in practical situations.

Encouraging Self-Directed Learning: Foster autonomy by encouraging adults to take responsibility for their own learning. Provide opportunities for self-assessment and reflection.

Providing Immediate Application: Ensure that the learning is immediately applicable to the learners' lives or work situations. This helps in reinforcing the relevance of the material.

Conclusion: Adult Learning Theory, or Andragogy, developed by Malcolm Knowles, emphasizes that adults learn best when they are self-directed, their experiences are valued, and learning is problem-centered and immediately applicable. Individuals can be lead by these principles to best incorporate applying new knowledge.

“If we know why we are learning and if the reason fits our needs as we perceive them, we will learn quickly and deeply.”

Malcolm Knowles

“An essential aspect of maturing is developing the ability to take increasing responsibility for our own lives—to become increasingly self-directed” Malcolm Knowles

By reviewing these models and theories above you can pick and choose what may work best for you and your own unique situation, try, test and refine your process to suit. To the point where you begin to see improvements and compound your results moving forward.