In a message dated 96-01-19 22:27:06 EST, you write:
>IMHO we should not minimize conscious decision making. Conscious decision
>should result in rethinking past decisions and is therefore learning on a
>level Argyris calls double-loop.
>
>As long as we make them unconscious we stick to our established mental
>maps. Only conscious thinking offers options to free ourselves from past
>decisions.
Hi Thomas,
Yes, I think that you are right that surfacing decisions to consciousness
may allow us to free ourselves from past decisions. But we cannot afford
to do this for every decision every time -- unless we have unlimited
processing capacity. Complex systems are inherently hierarchical because
it allows them to economize on processing capacity. By reducing basic
repetitive actions to unconscious routines they free up conscious
decision-making capacity for other higher level purposes. Imagine, for
instance, if you said that you wanted to handle your own blood sugar and
endocrine levels, heart and respiration rates via conscious decisions in
real time! There would be little capacity left over to do anything else
and if you missed a beat that would be it. It makes much better sense to
"delegate" them to more basic systems.
Once we have delegated these "decisions" to intelligent networks, however,
it is tough to get back in touch with them again when they need to be
changed. Thus IMHO measuring and changing the basic routines in a complex
systems is analogous to achieving control over basic bodily functions via
biofeedback mechanisms. That is, it is very difficult and is best done for
only one process at a time.
-- Best wishes, David Hurst Speaker, Consultant and Writer on Management dhurst1046@aol.com