Introduction

I created this blog, because I wanted to share my personal definition of learning.  In casual conversation, learning is applied to nearly everything and usually implies the acquisition of knowledge.  However, I disagree with the colloquial definition of learning.  If I read a text book, walk into class, and repeat that knowledge back on a test, have I learned?  I would argue that I probably have not.  I believe that, in its best form, learning is a three step process.  Learning is to question the status quo, actively seek for greater understanding, and apply that knowledge.

Step 1: Question the status quo

     Too often, life is lived with the words, "that's just the way it is."  The people that ask why are generally the people who show the most learning.  They recognize that something should be changed, or they come to a greater understanding of why the status quo is in fact the best way to go.

Step 2: Actively seek for understanding through one of four facets:

• Empiricism - gaining knowledge and understanding through our own experiences
• Authority - trusting in someone else's understanding because of their experience
• Reason - determining what conclusion is most appropriate to be drawn from observations
• Intuition - gaining knowledge by the influence of the Spirit and also by Faith

The highest of these four, in my opinion is intuition.  The other methods, when combined with intuition, will lead to a greater understanding, and they are probably far closer to the truth.

Step 3: The final display of learning is through application.  When we obtain knowledge in answer to a question and then wait, we haven't really learned.  We must apply the knowledge we have gained to try and improve, or reinforce, the status quo.  Part of that application is sharing it with others. Learning experienced by one can become learning experienced by many.

In the following posts, I will attempt to support my definition of learning with various artifacts throughout the past that have led to the life my family and I have today as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States of America.  They are meant to represent those things that would help a new civilization form and understand that it should be based on the highest levels of learning.  You may notice that almost all of the artifacts are English and American.  I intended to focus on the English and American cultures as much as I could, because they have had the greatest impact on my personal experience.