Toward a Holistic Theory of Knowledge and Adult Learning

This article proposes a holistic theory of knowledge and adult learning. The theory posits that knowledge consists of three indivisible facets—explicit, implicit, and emancipatory knowledge, and that each of the knowledge facets consists of three layers—foundation, manifestation, and orientation. The holistic theory calls for a dialectical perspective about the dynamic relationships among the three facets to better understand learning. Three contemporary paradigms of knowledge and learning are examined under the perspective of the holistic theory.