How much do you know?

[yello]

First up let me say that I have no specialist knowledge. None whatsoever. Sure, there are things I am able to discuss with some degree of interest, but I could never be certain enough of anything to claim a in-depth knowledge of a subject. My knowledge exists in a context. That is to say, I'm always aware that very next article I read, or informed opinion I listen to, could well change what I think. I'd have though most people are the same, regardless of their degree of learning or experience.

So I can be astounded sometimes when people make statements of utmost certainty. It can be any subject. This is not only about people on forums (and there are some very learned people here for instance!) but also experts in their field appearing on tele, radio or newsprint.

The conviction with which the knowledge is believed is plain to see/hear but I do wonder whether such people ever question that knowledge. How sure can you be of anything? Can you accept that you may be wrong?

 

[Moodyman]

As Confucious said:

"The more you know, the more realise how little you know."

Knowledge is infinite and nobody can know everything. Trouble is, we come across too many know-it-alls.

 

[661-Pete]

This post is completely untrue.

 

[rich p]

A lot of what people perceive to be true to them can come down to a strongly formed opinion based upon the knowledge that they have accrued. This gives them the belief that it is indeed a truth rather than an opinion.

I'm irritated by those who think that they have all the answers on a personal level, to such an extent that I would be unable to be close friends with them.

It's one of the reasons that politicians are held in such low esteem as they give the impression that they already know all the answers when through their actions, they clearly do not. Two of them can argue from opposing positions and say things with such certainty as if they both hold the fundamental truth.

 

[theclaud]

A lot of what people perceive to be true to them can come down to a strongly formed opinion based upon the knowledge that they have accrued. This gives them the belief that it is indeed a truth rather than an opinion.

I'm irritated by those who think that they have all the answers on a personal level, to such an extent that I would be unable to be close friends with them.

It's one of the reasons that politicians are held in such low esteem as they give the impression that they already know all the answers when through their actions, they clearly do not. Two of them can argue from opposing positions and say things with such certainty as if they both hold the fundamental truth.

You're entirely wrong about everything, I'm afraid. I'll send you a PM to put you straight, as I don't want everybody knowing that I have all the answers.

 

[Dan B]

The conscious competence theory is another name for the "Four Stages of Learning," a theory posited by 1940's psychologist Abraham Maslow[citation needed]. The Four Stages of Learning describe how a person learns, progressing from 1. Unconscious Incompetence (you don't know that you don't know something), to 2. Conscious Incompetence (you are now aware that you are incompetent at something), to 3. Conscious Competence (you develop a skill in that area but have to think about it), to the final stage 4. Unconscious Competence (you are good at it and it now comes naturally).

http://en.wikipedia....s_of_competence

 

[XmisterIS]

I'm right! How dare anyone disagree with me! I know everything too.

 

[rich p]

You're entirely wrong about everything, I'm afraid. I'll send you a PM to put you straight, as I don't want everybody knowing that I have all the answers.

Like Morecambe and Wise, we have all the right answers but not necessarily in the right order.

 

[Night Train]

I only know for certain how I feel and what I have seen and learnt through my own experiences.
For everything else I have to rely on someone elses say so on the basis of my own observations of their theories or statements.

On that basis I am open to accepting that all of you are bots except those I have met in the flesh, and even then you could still be a figment of my imagination.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I have no problem with people sharing specialist or general knowledge. It would be rather difficult for me to have a problem with this given that, as a researcher, it's what I do. I have no problem with the idea that all kinds of people can know all kinds of things, that some people know a lot more than others, and that many people know a lot more than me.

Where it gets tricky is when people do one or all of four things:

1. get opinion mixed up with knowledge; and/or
2. are unable to see that there might be different ways of seeing a particular issue other than their particular one; and/or
3. refuse to change their opinions when confronted with new knowledge; or,
4. the other extreme - mistake knowledge for wisdom or believe that knowledge is a substitute for ethics, politics and so on, rather than being something on which we can base those things.

 

[Aperitif]

You'll be surprised...me too! I'm with Mort, and we'll share a 'No 2' as per his amendment.

 

[rich p]

.

Where it gets tricky is when people do one or all of four things:

1. get opinion mixed up with knowledge; and/or
2. are unable to see that there might be different ways of seeing a particular issue other than their particular one; and/or
3. refuse to change their opinions when confronted with new knowledge; or,
4. the other extreme - mistake knowledge for wisdom or believe that knowledge is a substitute for ethics, politics and so on, rather than being something on which we can base those things.

It's actually one or all of five things but only I know that.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

This may surprise some folk, but I know the best part of feck all about anything.

 

[rich p]

This may surprise some folk, but I know the best part of feck all about anything.

Not true, don't sell yourself short, Ed!!!

You know how to post the most boring videos in the world about plywood.

 

[dellzeqq]

Not true, don't sell yourself short, Ed!!!

You know how to post the most boring videos in the world about plywood.

those were the best plywood videos I've ever seen!!!!