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Ladder of Inference: Short Circuiting Reality
From SystemsWiki
What Fig. 1 implies is that we begin with Real Data & Experience, the kind that would be captured by a movie camera that didn't lie. We then choose a set of Selected Data & Experience that we pay attention to. To this Selected Data & Experience we Affix Meaning, develop Assumptions, come to Conclusions, and finally develop Beliefs. Beliefs then form the basis of our Actions which create additional Real Data & Experience.
As such, while this is described as the "Ladder of Inference" it is more appropriately represented as a closed loop. The circular nature of this description becomes evident when the diagram is redrawn with an added influence.
As it turns out Fig. 1 is actually a Reinforcing Loop, as depicted in Fig. 2, where the interactions within the structure build on what comes before it and each cycle through the loop results in growth of each element in the structure. Yet there is an apparent difficulty with this structure.
The "Ladder of Inference" is generally depicted with a "Reflexive Loop" which connects Beliefs back to Selected Data & Experience indicating that it is our Beliefs which influence the Selected Data & Experience we pay attention to. When I looked at this in concert with the diagram of Fig. 2 I developed the impression that this "Reflexive Loop" as depicted in Fig. 3 essentially represented a short circuiting of reality.
Fig. 3 indicates that as our Beliefs influence the Selected Data & Experience we pay attention to and essentially establishes an internal Reinforcing Loop which short circuits reality. The tendency is to select data to pay attention to which supports our beliefs. And, I would expect, as our Beliefs become more and more rigid the Selected Data & Experience we are willing to pay attention to will become a smaller and smaller portion of reality.
As I was editing this article, about 12 years after I wrote it, I realized that Fig 3 was incorrect. The connection from Beliefs to Selected Data & Experience actually subtracts from the Selected Data & Experience. The loop (B2) resulting from this interaction is a Balancing Loop.
And, the structure itself turns out to be a Limits to Growth structure. Which now makes sense because the Reinforcing Loop (R1) promotes the growth of our experience and learning while the Balancing Loop (B2), because of the Beliefs we develop, ends up limiting the way we perceive our experience, and as such, our learning.
A most relevant question seems to be, how do we stop short circuiting reality and limiting our own growth and development?
My experience has lead me to understand that although there are many similarities in the way we each view Real Data & Experience there are subtle differences in the ladders of inference we traverse. I have found that by developing an understanding of the rungs on others' ladders of inference that the alternative perspectives provide a basis for uncovering inconsistencies between the Real Data & Experience and Selected Data & Experience resulting from my Beliefs. An earnest endeavor to seek truth and understanding seems most beneficial.
[edit] References
- Diagrams created with MapSys
- Senge, Peter (1990) The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization, Doubleday Currency
- MapSys Diagram Source
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