Dr. Steve Eskow wrote:
> I would like to use a piece of our exchange to underline the problems
> involved in helping the individuals in a group identify their "taken for
> granted," the mental models they now have that may need to be modified or
> abandoned if learning is to happen.
...snip...
> If personal mastery means giving up chocolate, or learning a new computer
> program, I can commit myself to learning.
>
> If it means changing my mental model and looking at the possibility that
> there are not seven essentialities, or whatever the model is on which I
> ground my life...
>
> Easier said than done.
Some of us believe that your observation represents a fundamental
challenge confronting the human race as we attempt to understand the
essence of what might be considered healthy and sustainable family,
educational, religious, government and other social institutions. Each of
these conceptualizations (structures) seems to rest squarely on the
beliefs of the individuals that govern and sustain them.
I think the challenge for each of us is to ask questions like:
"What do I believe about . . . ?"
"How did I come to believe this?"
"How does this belief affect my behavior?"
"Is this a belief that I can support with facts, data, heuristics, etc."
"If not, what's left and how does this impact my "other" beliefs?"
These questions might appear simple, but can be quite powerful in
surfacing our existing belief systems and paradigms. And probably not for
the faint of heart!
Thank you for sharing your viewpoint, Steve.
--Samuel Doyle, III Detroit Edison Performance Technologist email: kcop@sprynet.com
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