暗黙知を理解する

Abstract

In this article the author tries to scrutinize “tacit knowledge,” which is the concept that genius scientist, Michael Polanyi advocated. First the author explains the concept of Polanyi. “Tacit knowledge” is thought to be in a different dimension beyond the ordinary cognition framework because the process in acquisition and manifestation is unspecifiable. And so “tacit knowledge” itself is difficult to research, but it is essential to know about it as much as possible. To comprehend further the “tacit knowledge” from another point of view, the author tries to classify the knowledge, which a human being has stored inside the body from birth to current moment, into three categories. “Tacit knowledge” belongs to one of the three categories, which is unexternalizable and intransmittable knowledge. However the term “tacit knowledge” used in management or engineering seems to be differently defined. The author tries to make the difference clear. Among important roles of “tacit knowledge” are the roles in acquiring new skills, in finding whereabouts of the problems, and in brewing source of creative activities for innovation, discovery and invention. In communication activities ordinary cognition usually plays the main role, but we are unconscious that “tacit knowledge” is supporting it as a sceneshifter or a stagehand without appearing on the scene. This means that “tacit knowledge” and other knowledge interact with each other and form a harmonious whole while communication is carried out. We should know more about “tacit knowledge” in intellectual or creative activities etc.