Propositional – Prescriptive Knowledge

Blur - Think Tank

Hoy quisiera recomendar un texto del Banco Interamericano del Desarrollo. Su nombre “The knowledge economy in development: perspectives for effective partnerships” (pdf) [Vitro, ed. 2005]. Si bien, el documento tiene ese dejo triunfalista que evangeliza con la idea de que conocimiento & innovación es la única manera de alcanzar un modelo de sociedad desarrollada (postulado que no me termina de convencer como receta para los países en desarrollo), el texto plantea un sinnúmero de elementos de especial valor. A continuación una selección de lo que nos pareció más contundente (apuntes):

“We need to distinguish between the knowledge needed to write down a set of instructions for the first time (invent) and carry them out (produce)”.

El texto sugiere una distinción entre el Propositional Knowledge y el Prescriptive Knowledge. Propositional es aquel conocimiento formal y consensual, que nos permite construir/representar/sistematizar la realidad (knowledge of what), es decir construir conocimiento (ej.: ciencia, conocimiento ingenieril). En cambio, el Prescriptive es aquel que se utiliza para dar instrucciones (how-to) codificar técnicas, optimizar procesos (ej.: procedimientos sistematizados en un manual). [Joel Mokyr]

La curiosidad es el motor de la producción de conocimiento: “Curiosity and the thirst for knowledge for its own sake have been a driving motive in the accumulation of propositional knowledge. People do not expect to be paid for solving crossword puzzles; they enjoy the challenge”.

El conocimiento es inalienable de los seres humanos: Knowledge differs from information in that it exists only in the human mind. It can be stored in external storage devices but such knowledge is meaningless unless an actual person can transfer and acquire it. Tacit knowledge and specific knowledge cannot be written down. Tacit know-how knowledge cannot be separated from the person or organization that contains it.

La estrategia de innovación de la UE: Three Pillars of i2010: a) A Single European Information Space. b) Innovation and Investment in ICT Research and c) Inclusion, Better Citizen Services, and Better Quality of Life.

Definición de la Economía del Conocimiento: “A Knowledge Economy effectively utilizes knowledge as the key engine of economic growth. The term refers to an economy where knowledge is acquired, created, disseminated, and used effectively to enhance economic development. Contrary to some beliefs, the concept of the Knowledge Economy does not necessarily revolve around high technology or information technology”.

… activities that facilitate the production, distribution, and use of information are a significant portion of overall economic activity.

… countries are recognizing that they are already building their capacity to create and distribute new wealth by adding value.

Nota al pie: Capítulo Recomendado:
3. Building Innovative Capabilities Toward Competitiveness and Social Development (Arlindo Villaschi)