Process Learning

One way to understand "process learning" is to compare normal computer operations to AI. But currently that comparison is hard because AI does not seem to exist sufficiently.

Another way is to think of process learning in terms of one of its old and fundamental debates, atomism v social. One critique from commonsense thinkers is that knowledge became individualized. The idea that knowledge is social or shared became diminished throughout the 18th Century. Descartes and Locke were seen as contributing intellectually to this atomism.

Rather than quoting an academic for this purpose, think of this. The way we transmit ideas now follows a basic formula. A complex mind (an expert) formulates an idea (theory, truth, equation) in such a way that it contains enough complexity that another complex mind (a peer) can unravel and understand the idea. From this we see that only high-level academics can learn/understand. It is akin to what I was told when teaching, that kids are so incapable of learning that teaching history in a systematic manner is the pinnacle of curriculum. Tell the students dates and basic theories and then make sure they show up for class. That is systematizing. Forget Nietzsche.

But imagine a social theory where a complex idea is made "simple" so that others can learn, even if that learning is through aphorism. Russell is an example of this attempt, though he is certainly not a commonsense thinker. When one reads hyper-critical philosophy, like Kant, they are often left wondering about intention. Who is it written for? The answer: another individual as "complex" as the writer. The truth is that, if the reader thinks for any length of time, this complexity appears more as a secret club than a necessity for learning.

Of course, lacking complexity is another problem entirely. Self-help books of course, and almost as a rule, lack complexity to the extent that they are useless and contain no wisdom. So, how does one simplify and retain wisdom? That is really the question. Russell wrestled with it (and even argued with Whitehead about it).

CCS is an attempt to embrace wisdom and speak socially. Reid is interpreted nowadays in this way. His abrupt criticism of "over-thinking" is exactly this kind of philosophy in action. In the 20th Century one of the best examples of this abrupt-ness is Rand. Within her intolerance of hyper-critical writing we catch a glimpse of the very social/philosophical premise that we state when we say that learning is shared.

Lest we forget, this was Socrates' message.