Entities Informing Action
Getting our Bearings
Doing is about engaging with reality for some particular reason. Identifying the highest and lowest levels of knowing in that regard is relatively easy.
At the base lies 'data', the name used to refer to any representation of reality gained through sensing or perceiving concrete phenomena, which are taken as "the reality". However, the "" name has already been used for and no name is ever used more than once in the Taxonomy.
In the present context, we want to emphasize that 'data' contains no direction, no organisation, no significance for action: it is purely a means for knowing what to do. To emphasize this, the word "raw" is added to form a distinctive name: "-". Such naming accords with everyday convention.
is commonly placed at the highest level as the name used for an ineffable sense of knowing the right thing to do in a particular situation. Although not always appreciated amongst information scientists, wisdom commonly implies inclusion of an ethical dimension. In addition, the 7th Level in THEE frameworks is typically under a selflessness pressure or spiritual influence. To emphasize this, the word "enlightened" will be added (cf. 'enlightened self-interest'). So, it is proposed that "" will know the ideal way forward.
As to what lies between these extremes, we investigate systematically below. In each case, two-word labels will be used to help us easily grasp these psychosocial phenomena.
Technical Note:
which starts from Layout of Properties
Simple definitions offered in the scientific literature are typically unsatisfactory and even confusing. However, if a functional definition is buttressed with key properties and relationship to adjacent entities is clarified, then it is far easier to recognize the Level-entity in question. See the matrixat the end of this Topic.
Researches have revealed the critical properties that clarify the differences and unequivocal discontinuity between the Levels. This should help readers make their own judgements as to the validity of this framework. The properties are listed here:
- Reference: What sort of functioning the Level-entity refers to, including clarification of the qualifier.
- Synonyms: Common alternative terms, not necessarily equally suitable.
- Essential Quality: What users look for in identifying the Level-entity.
- Test: How users check the particular use of the Level-entity.
- Relationship to Action: What the Level-entity contributes to taking action.
- Limitation: How the Level-entity is criticized, perhaps correctly.
- Effect of Absence: What results if the Level-entity is not being used when it should be.
- Enhancement: How the Level-entity is increased in sophistication and usefulness while staying at that Level.
L1: Acceptable Data
Reference: refers to . Because this data contains no direction, no pattern, no organisation, and no significance, it deserves the qualifier "raw".
Naming the level emphasizes that, following collection, there has been no processing, organising, sorting, clarifying, or otherwise handling of the obtained figures, facts or observations.
Synonyms: Facts, Observations, Numbers.
Essential Quality: Data refers directly to phenomena directly evident in the situation for anyone who chooses to look. Data must be consensual and impersonal if it is to represents itself as "the facts" or as "valid figures".
Tests: Is the data indeed consensual? Is it valid? Is it reliable. Is it repeatable?
Relationship to Action: Raw data collected to be acceptable is a potential resource when taking action. The data exists independently of actions, purposes or those involved or looking on. So it can be considered or ignored. If considered, then it must be converted into (see below).
Limitation: It follows from the above properties that acceptable data is inherently meaningless.
Effect of Absence: However, in the absence of data, there is a profound gap—rather a vacuum or a void—which must be filled for any knowing to occur. Typically, absence is due to failure to collect the data (or sufficient data) due to resource constraints, ignorance, scientific naivete, or political machinations.
Enhancement: Raw data benefits from more raw data. If raw data can be captured and accumulated over time and in regard to related phenomena, then existing data becomes more valuable. This puts a premium on data storage. As technology has developed, the sheer amount, variety and speed of data acquisition has led to the emergence of "big data" which offers both challenges and new possibilities for data use.
Reflections
Whereas the basis of disciplinary knowledge is to be found in its concepts, the basis of knowing what to do is to be found in the data that is collected. Academic concepts lead to a picking and choosing amongst potential data, inevitably in directions that neglect issues of action because "taking action" is not the motivation or goal.
It is often emphasized that raw data, while being elemental is only recognized and gained within the context of some practical or ideal theory. However, this is only a statement that raw data exists within a hierarchy in which each level is a context for the levels below.
L2: Useful Information
Reference: refers to . Information is therefore data that is no longer "raw" because it has been processed, organized, or shaped to become meaningful and useful. It therefore deserves the qualifier "pertinent".
Essential Quality: For data to be treated as information, it must be ordered in a way related to its intended use. That process ensures the data is significant or meaningful. As a result, data is often presented in the form of tables, graphs, or statistics.
Tests: Is the information indeed relevant and useful?
Relationship to Action: Information is developed to aid action: hence the notion of 'informed choice'. It may be used to specify details of an action, to adapt action or to track and monitor action.
Limitation: Information suffers from its inexhaustibility. The amount and variety of relevant information is potentially limitless.
Effect of Absence: In the absence of necessary information, a person is incapacitated. This helplessness may not inhibit action, but the result is likely to be increasing disorder and chaotic progress.
Enhancement: Generation of valuable information depends on the capacity to focus clearly on how and why the data was collected, and the goals and analyses that create relevance.
L3: Practical Knowledge
Reference: refers to . The systematization conveys a sense of certainty. Knowledge always includes knowing "what", the corpus, and either implies or specifies knowing "how", methods to be used. The qualifier "practical" would also be appropriate here.
Essential Quality: Knowledge is an evolving social product that depends on refinement, being capable of being improved and added to as more information is acquired and analysed. Unlike information that is situation-based, knowledge deals with a class of situations. Like information, but unlike data, knowledge is not a property of reality. Knowledge, being a personal possession, is the focus of training, tutoring, learning, and indoctrination.
Tests: Is the knowledge verifiable? Is it validated?
Relationship to Action: Knowledge points to methods and likely outcomes from intervention.
Limitation: Knowledge is incomplete and may be unknowingly biassed, e.g. through selection errors, survivorship skewing, or dominance of a paradigm that filters what information is judged acceptable.
Effect of Absence: Ignorance leads to unnecessary mistakes.
Enhancement: The knowledge base can be checked, extended, and improved through deliberate studies and careful documentation. Knowledge in practice is improved by better teaching methods and reviews of performance.
L4: Operative Principles
Reference: refer to . Principles are generalized statements drawing on knowledge. They point to what might be done or bound possibilities of the way that knowledge or information should be used to guide action.
Essential Quality: Principles are invariably multiple and they need to be balanced and weighed in application. Being rules, there is a requirement for integrity i.e. genuine application, perseverance i.e. consistent application, and balance i.e. thoughtful application.
Tests: Is the principle applicable and appropriate? Is this application persuasive?
Relationship to Action: Principles constrain action or point in a general direction, so leaving open multiple possibilities for choice.
Limitation: Principles are in themselves inflexible and can lead to an unwillingness to re-think in the face of changing circumstances.
Effect of Absence: However, without principles, a person is rudderless. As forces buffet proceeding and events evolve unexpectedly, instability and confusion will develop.
Enhancement: Principles are not binding rules. A variety of principles must be kept in mind and these need to be applied in a balanced fashion.
L5: Situational Understanding
Reference: refers to . An understanding deals with what is going on in a comprehensive fashion. It covers what further knowing at lower levels is required, what objectives ought to be pursued, and how to proceed in all respects.
Synonyms: Judgement, Astuteness.
Essential Quality: A good understanding is explicable in ordinary language, and will be immediately viewed as viable and valuable by others involved. Understanding, here, is based on self-awareness as much as awareness of the situation, and naturally draws on relevant and .
Tests: Can the person communicate and explain their ? Can it withstand challenges? Does it incorporate what is known?
Relationship to Action: An directly indicates what action to take and how to inform and monitor the process.
Limitation: Any is necessarily limited by the experience, expertise and knowledge of the person involved.
Effect of Absence: Without understanding, a supposedly responsible person will feel overwhelmed and confused. Any action is then liable to be self-defeating, even stupid.
Enhancement: can be deepened by further immersion in the situation, by self-development, and by making personal inquiries.
L6: Theoretical Explanation
Reference: refers to . When a particular theoretical framework is used to model the actual situation and appears to fit, then it generates an explanation in its terms.
Essential Quality: Any entails a commitment which is based on having proved its usefulness in the past. The framework should illuminate the situation revealing features and probable developments which would otherwise not be noticed.
Tests: Does the situation lend itself to imposition of the theoretical framework offered? Is the explanation coherent, consistent, and emergent from the framework?
Relationship to Action: Frameworks structure descriptions of the situation, indicating its likely causes and future evolution. It should suggest suitable handling.
Limitation: Theoretical frameworks are unidimensional and therefore partial, because it is not possible to have a theory the covers every aspect of a situation.
Effect of Absence: Without a framework, lower levels lack a formal structure to guide thinking. This generates incoherence and the launching of contradictory initiatives.
Enhancement: Theoretical explanations can be improved by understanding the framework better or by improving the framework being used.
L7: Good Sense
Reference: refers to .
Synonyms: Nous, wisdom, savvy, insight, awareness.
Essential Quality: Good sense is about drawing on deep well-springs of experience and entering a state of mind that is ethical and potentially revelatory. It requires openness and receptivity to the situation in all its aspects and potentially inspiration.
Tests: Is the good sense genuine? Is it creative?
Relationship to Action: Good sense reveals what values and principles apply, and likely outcomes and impacts of action. It therefore emerges as a —but not all Situational Understandings are enlightened or informed by Wisdom.
Limitation: Good sense is a personal matter that results from lived experience. So there are boundaries to its application. It cannot be shared or taught, unlike a theoretical framework (L6) or a situational understanding (L5). Often it cannot be explained.
Effect of Absence: In the absence of good sense, decisions are liable to be made in ways that appear sensible but are futile or self-defeating.,
Enhancement: Good sense does not lend itself to being improved apart from personal growth.
The Three Forms of Explanation
Any of the upper 3 levels generate an explanation.
At L5, the explanation is an intuitive appreciation
At L6, the explanation is a theoretical account
At L7, the explanation is a profound awareness
| L | Type | Reference | Qualities | Limitation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Good Sense |
Profound Revelatory Creative Genuine |
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| 6 | Theoretical Explanation |
Formal Fundamental Coherent Consistent |
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| 5 | Common Understanding |
Genuine Valuable Viable Explicable |
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| 4 | Operative Principle |
Multiple Adaptable Persuasive Applicable |
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| 3 | Practical Knowledge |
Refined Cumulative Validated Verifiable |
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| 2 | Useful Information |
Ordered Meaningful Pertinent Useful |
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| 1 | Acceptable Data |
Impersonal Consensual Reliable Valid |
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Now proceed to naming the Levels of informed knowing.
Drafted: Jan 2022. Originally posted: 11 May 2023.