The Eight Stages of Understanding

The Eight Stages of Understanding.

Problem-solving is a broad category of intellectual activities. It requires knowledge of multiple sorts as outlined below. It is part of the pyramid of understanding, but a seriously important part. However, most of us can have successful careers having only problem-solving skills. Higher-order understanding is more significant in the world of theories and ideas, the meaning of solutions, and how they fit into the intellectual scheme. The list below is reminiscent of Bloom’s Taxonomy, but refined for our purposes. One of our tools for problem-solving, used by all, is at the very base. One can’t know everything, and we’re never protected from it. Thus ignorance, and how we deal with it, is in everyone’s world.

·        Ignorance:  lacking knowledge or awareness.

·        Awareness: awareness that there is something unknown or not understood.

·        Knowledge: acquisition of factual information and concepts related to the subject.

·        Comprehension: understanding the meaning and significance of the acquired knowledge. Reading and study fit here.

·        Application: ability to use knowledge and understanding in practical or real-world situations. Problem-solving starts here and includes the following stages.

·        Analysis: ability to break down complex ideas or information into their component parts.

·        Synthesis: ability to integrate various pieces of information, ideas, or concepts to create a new understanding or perspective.

·        Evaluation: involves critically assessing information, ideas, or arguments.

While stated in a list, the bottom half is not necessarily linear structurally. The points are developed in bits and pieces. For example, after problem-solving one may move directly to an evaluation of the solution in light of the knowledge of the subject. As we will see, problem-solving is more than just finding a solution. It is a continuing test of that knowledge as to validity and reliability.

Before continuing, let’s consider ignorance. We all have it -  about many things. What to do about solving a problem? For example, you come to a “T” on the road and don’t know which way to turn. Flipping a coin is a typical answer. You have a worker at the office who’s preoccupied with something and you know not what. You discuss matters with the worker but learn little. What to do?  Sometimes, simple patience may be the key. Call this judgment from ignorance, or a hunch, or something. But you never know. Human problems can be horrible. We can solve them sometimes but never know why.

On the other hand, by the time our children are raised, we can reflect on our experience and integrate how its various components give a new and better understanding of parenting. That is, synthesis arrives. Here, the familiar maxim applies. “Parenting is the worst teacher. It gives the exam first, and then the lesson.”