Replying to LO24642 --
HI All,
Doug Merchant closed off a mail:
>As I understand it, theory alone will seldom, if ever, make a difference
>in the life of any person. In other words, theories alone are virtually
>worthless for employers and employees alike. Making use of less abstract
>and not so fundamental concepts will increase little the value of a
>theory.
-snip-
>If we choose to be ignorant of our "theories in use",
>we can not choose not to use them.
I feel Doug is right Theory alone will not make a difference, what you use
it for makes the difference. But if you do not use it is it a theory?
My understanding. Theory expresses what we would expect to see in result
of some action. It explains the outcomes based on the data. All the data
supports the theory - without fail. You can never prove a theory, only
disprove it. It is the basis of learning if we think of learning from a
scientific method, PDSA, reflective learning etc. basis. We have an
expectation of an outcome from an action (the theory) we commit the action
and review the outcome in the light of the theory and then we can choose
to. a) conclude that the theory still holds (make no changes in action).
b) the theory was right the action was wrong (change the action) or c)
The action was right, the theory was wrong (change the theory).
To be able to do the above the theory has to be expressed at a level of
abstraction relevent to the action. If it is not it is not a theory.
We may make improvements to the organisational system by luck - no real
idea what we are doing but it feels good. Inspirational change is good,
it makes a difference BUT we have to be aware that we are making change
based on inspiration and luck. If we wish to make changes based on
learning and understanding then we will need to express our theory at some
point, before the action is taken. The theory will be wrong, but it may be
useful (as George Box, or was it someone else, said).
So yes to Doug's, If we choose to be ignorant of our "theories in use", we
can not choose not to use them.
To mediate learning we need to access the theory in use. Whether that be
self mediation or the mediation of others. Theory is an expression of
understanding, and as W. E. Deming said, "With out theory there is no
knowledge".
Roger.
---------------------------------oooOOOooo--------------------------------------
Roger C. Key mailto:roger.key@onet.co.uk
Prescient - The Whole as One
(44) 01639 871062
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