How Do YOU Know What You Said You Know?

I just received a newsletter article by Jim Cathcart dated 23/6/2010.

In the article, Jim shared that there is an organization called The Institute of Noetic Science founded by astronaut Edgar Mitchell. They study what it means to "know" something and how we know what we know.

Sounds like some high minded stuff eh? It's fascinating. For example: take something you know to be true. Then examine, how do you know it? Are you sure about it?

Jim says, here are some ways we conclude that we "Know":

Personal experience - we saw it ourselves
Expert testimony - we heard it from an authority
Scientific method - we tested it and proved it
Intuition - we know it on an unconscious level
Feelings - our gut tells us it is so
Reason - we used logic to figure it out

None of these is a perfect source, all could be wrong. But the more we respect each way of "knowing" the more likely we are to reach a reliable conclusion.

So, the next time someone says "I know this to be true", ask them specifically, "HOW do you know?"

Thank you for sharing this Jim. It is a grreeaaatttt article.

Comments

From Toilet Cleaner to CEO

On 22-April-2012, my entrepreneurship journey story was published by The Sunday Times in Singapore by Mr. Wong Kim Hoh

Making Optimum Choices in Life

I was asked by one of my business mentees I am currently mentoring, "How do I make the most optimum choice in life when I am bombarded with possibilities all the time?"Life is full of choices. This choice, that choice, both choice or none of the above. THAT's a whopping 4 choice! Choice can open the door to a whole new possibilities, not only at cross-roads on our path in life, but in each moment, giving us access to the bountiful of possibilities with which we can paint our world any way we want it to be. We can choose a new action, thought or feeling at any time, and create an entirely new reality as a result. Every choice has an impact or consequence, to a greater or lesser extent, each one like a pebble dropped in a pond; the ripples, the ramifications, spreading out into your future and other areas of your life. Even one small choice made today that shifts your life by a minor degree can take you to an entirely different future than the one you are heading, opening …

The 4 Essentials of Effective Leadership

I read this article written Mark Raciappa, ActionCOACH and I totally agree. His communication is clear, concise and it resonated with me. Mark says;
I remember a bumper sticker: “Either Lead or Follow—But Get Out of the Way!”
Interestingly, in my company, I say something similar and it goes like this "If you can lead, lead. If you can't lead, follow. If you cannot lead or follow, get out of my way!
Mark continued to write that, when our role calls for the former, here are 4 important things to keep in mind:1. Great leaders communicate. Realizing that good communication is a 2-way street, we must be responsible for our part. That being said, true communication is the response that you get. Whatever form you choose (verbal, mail, e-mail, etc), if you don’t get the outcome you seek (from a “willing” recipient), the responsibility lies with the sender. Great leaders confirm, gain commitment, and solicit feedback to improve the process.2. Great leaders make decisions. Far too ofte…

moonshi :: What impact are you creating to the world?

Search This Blog