Chuck,
We were discussing whether learning occurs as a continuum or in leaps.
Perhaps the answer is both, depending upon how - and how often - you look
at it. As you mentioned as an example, if you look at your thinking of
ten years ago it is hard to believe that it was you who had those
thoughts! You appear to have taken a "quantum leap" in maturity of
thinking. On the other hand, if you were to evaluate your thoughts and
writings every month, would you be able to identify that leap as occurring
in any one month? Or was it a gradual accumulation over time?
Similarly, in the farming example that was originally used by At, I see
the farmer as becoming progressively more being. The farmer may never
stop becoming, and any line we draw is an artificial - and dangerous -
human construct. It has lead to the belief that one can stop
learning/maturing because one has reached a certain level. For example,
once someone is, say, 25, he or she is now a mature adult, right?
Probably not. One never reaches the "Being" state of "mature," just as
graduation with a degree as an MD does not mean one no longer has anything
significant to learn.
I agree with you that it is useful to set certain levels of "being," such
as MD. However, I believe that our society has taken the idea of "being"
an MD to mean that further growth and learning is not needed, rather than
that this is the MINIMUM level of "being" at which you are permitted to
practise as a doctor, and that continuous learning is expected. Used the
first way, I see the idea of "being" as one of great destructiveness.
Your thoughts?
Brian
briangordon@livetolearn.com
Live to Learn
www.livetolearn.com
--"Brian Gordon" <briangordon@livetolearn.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>