We tend to think of knowledge as something we can state, explain, or justify. Michael Polanyi begins *The Tacit Dimension* with a simple challenge to that picture: “We can know more than we can tell.”
We recognize a face without being able to describe exactly how. We use tools, navigate our surroundings, learn skills, and make judgments without consciously representing everything that goes into what we are doing. Polanyi argues that this kind of tacit knowing isn't just peripheral to knowledge, it is one of its basic conditions.
From there, the book opens onto much larger questions about perception, scientific discovery, objectivity, expertise, and the limits of formal explanation.
Required Reading
*The Tacit Dimension* (about 90 pages of reading) available [here](https://a.co/d/0cjkQAhY).
Rules for Our Group
1. Be Courteous
Respectful disagreement is totally acceptable; Condescension is not.
2. Be Concise
Keep comments brief, on topic, and allow space for others to join in.
3. Do the Reading
If you have not done the reading for the week you are welcome to attend and *listen* to the discussion, but out of respect for those who have read, you will not be permitted to participate in the discussion.
Finally, Please update your RSVP if you are no longer able to attend the event.
• inaccurate RSVPs make it difficult for coordinators to plan successful events
• inaccurate RSVPs prevent waitlisted individuals from attending
*Multiple no shows may result in losing RSVP privileges for future events.
For more info and FAQ on the group click here.
Looking forward to the discussion!
-Brent
