What Aristotle knew about thinking diversity

Oct 19 / Sally Dooley

What can someone who studied in 368 BC teach us about problem-solving in the 21st Century? A lot! 


As one of word's greatest philosophers, Aristotle recognised that creating the best solutions to complex problems began with understanding what kind of knowledge was required to solve it.  In our fast-paced and fluid workplaces, where there is often little time for deep thinking and reflection, it is hard to prioritise space to ensure that we are bringing the right kind of thinking to the problems we face.  The result of this can be: quick fixes that lack long term validity; wasted time and effort in analysis that doesn't add value; and, bad decisions that miss real the heart of a matter.

Aristotle identified three distinct types of knowledge, involving three different kinds of thinking.  These were:

Techne

Craft or productive knowledge 
This involved using skills, tools and methods to create something, whether mechanical or artistic. It translated an idea into something physical. 

Epistme

Scientific or theoretical knowledge
This involved deep reflection on what was already known in terms of theories and established facts as well as  uncovering new understanding of the laws of nature. 

Phronesis

Ethical or practical knowledge
This involved perspective-taking and wisdom to make decisions when ethical issues and competing values were present.
So how is this helpful to us, problem-solving many centuries down the track?

 A recent HBR article highlights one of the lessons we have learned globally  during the 2020 pandemic, namely that when we fail to identify what kind 
of thinking is required to address a challenge, we end up answering the wrong question.

Bring the wrong kind of thinking to a problem and you'll be left fruitlessly analyzing scientific data when what's desperately needed is a values-informed judgment call.  Or, just as bad, you'll trust your instincts on a matter where a straightforward data analysis would expose how off-base your understanding is. 
Martin, Straub and Kirby, Leaders Need to Harness Aristotle's 3 Types of Knowledge, HBR, October 2020 

The writers argue that the initial response to COVID-19 was to think of it primarily as a scientific problem.  An appropriate solution would be discovered if we just 'follow the science'.  Although new scientific discoveries were and are critical, we now know they will only be part of the solution.  

The 'this is a scientific issue' mindset meant that leaders waited too long to grapple with the escalating social crisis that was also emerging.  What if a more holistic approach had been adopted at the outset?  What if there was an earlier recognition that not only scientific expertise but also political, ethical and social disciplines were necessary, would we be in a different position today?

Think about your responses to the crises COVID-19 created in your work environment.  With the benefit of hindsight, could you have taken a broader perspective, drawn on different types of knowledge and thinking and/or brought in a wider range of perspectives?

What lessons can you take forward as a result?

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