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Tacit knowledge is mainly learned through observation and experience.

A. True
B. False

2 Answers

5 votes

Final answer:

A. True

Step-by-step explanation:

Tacit knowledge primarily involves the knowledge that is difficult to express verbally or transfer explicitly, often acquired through observation, experience, and practice rather than formal instruction. This type of knowledge is deeply ingrained in an individual's experiences, insights, intuitions, and learning from real-world situations. Unlike explicit knowledge that can be easily codified and transmitted through formal channels, tacit knowledge is acquired through immersion in specific contexts, hands-on experience, and continuous observation. Individuals often absorb tacit knowledge unconsciously, assimilating it over time through active participation and exposure within a particular environment or field.

Observation and experience play pivotal roles in the acquisition of tacit knowledge. Through observing others' actions, behaviors, and interactions in real-life settings, individuals internalize implicit understandings, skills, and insights that are challenging to articulate explicitly. Moreover, direct involvement in tasks, projects, or situations allows individuals to accumulate tacit knowledge through trial-and-error, learning from successes and failures, and gaining nuanced understandings that cannot be easily conveyed through formal instruction or written documentation.

The process of acquiring tacit knowledge involves continual immersion in a specific context, fostering a deep understanding of the subject matter through active engagement and experiential learning. While formal education and explicit knowledge contribute significantly to an individual's expertise, tacit knowledge gained through observation and experience remains a vital aspect of learning, particularly in fields where practical insights, intuitive understandings, and contextual nuances play a crucial role in decision-making and problem-solving.

User Oskar Berggren
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Final answer:

Tacit knowledge is indeed learned through observation and experience, which is true. It is a form of knowledge that is often non-verbalizable and not easily shared through written or spoken words. This learning through experience is supported by the empirical approach to knowledge acquisition, as well as the transmission of knowledge through societal testimonies.The statement is true.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that tacit knowledge is mainly learned through observation and experience is A. True. Tacit knowledge refers to the kind of knowledge that is difficult to transfer to another person by means of writing it down or verbalizing it. Instead, it is acquired through personal experience and contextual understanding. For instance, riding a bicycle or recognizing the face of a friend are examples of tacit knowledge gained through sensory experience and practice, which often cannot be fully explained through language alone.

Empiricists like John Locke have long argued that knowledge comes from experience, suggesting that the mind starts as a blank slate (tabula rasa) and that all knowledge is accumulated through sensory experiences. This empirical approach is often used in the natural sciences, where knowledge is acquired through repeated observation and testing, and is subject to revision and falsification as new information comes to light.

Our society also learns through what is known as testimony, relying on the accumulated knowledge and experience of others, which is passed down through teaching, books, and other forms of communication. While empirical knowledge is gained through direct experience and sensory input, a large proportion of our knowledge also comes through social means, invariably relying on the reliability of the testimony provided by other people.

User Pavol Juhos
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