Posted by Denham on October 27, 2000 at 14:45:33:

In Reply to: Re: K from D/I posted by Vaughn P Fox on October 27, 2000 at 13:14:27:

Vaughn,

Thank you for that reply. It seems my confusion rests around assumptions I make from this and similar statements of yours:

It is my impression that each time a person filters information they are in fact making a decision. It may not be a key decision, but a decision non-the less.

I do not recognize implicit decisions as decisions, but as the workings of my unconscious mind, as actions based on feelings and tacit knowledge. To make or take a decision there must be a deliberate and conscious choice. Now I may not have full information, I may satisfice, I may be constrained by bounded rationality, I probably display a whole range of biases, I may make an irrational choice, I may choose to do nothing!, but it is still a conscious choice. If I'm not acting from a conscious choice, I'm running under automation, guided by hidden beliefs, internalized values or perhaps strongly established habits.

To take a decision, is to be aware that a choice is being made other actions are made drawing on my tacit knowledge, I'm not aware that I'm making them, they escape my radar. For me then awareness is the key ingredient that separates a decision from unconscious actions. To quote Baumard, "Distortions in perception, in the attributation of sense, in prediction, or the attributation of causality, affect the taking of strategic decisions in numerous unsuspected ways"

When we start evaluating, selecting or searching for information we have already crossed the threshold into decision making, we think of consequences, try to reduce uncertainty, increase the number or quality of alternatives, evaluate the larger implications, include the parties involved.... This I feel is where I have a profound disconnect with your writings.

Just to clarify here, I believe you can have implicit learning, in fact, most of our learning may be in this mode, i.e., occur via a process of socialization and subconscious acquisition. I think knowledge supports 'being' and identity and is a resource for decision making, much as information is also a decision making resource.

It is hard to articulate my disquiet with an information-needs approach to knowledge. This seems to me to discount the vast amount of knowledge which we acquire without volition, without conscious attention, it just happens, part of our unique biology and adaptation.

Please note I'm not playing down the role of knowledge in conscious decision making, I think it is an essential part, but I do not believe knowledge; it's acquisition, accumulation and raison de'tre is always driven by decision making, knowledge happens! and is often refined by experience and engagement with others.

We can look at the whole field of 'implicit decisions' and post hoc rationalization next, if you like.

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Follow Ups:

• Re: Implicit decisions Vaughn P Fox 23:41:37 10/27/00 (1)
  • Re: Implicit decisions Denham 01:49:51 10/28/00 (0)

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