Embodied Knowledge

Abstract

This article examines the highly specific problems of roof support in coal mines to construct a theoretical framework that describes how texts represent information that is embodied, sensory, and uncertain. As this analysis suggests, workers in risky environments may follow instructions and still fail as situations change. Engineering and management approaches also may fail unless they reflect the kinds of embodied sensory information decision makers need to assess risk in local contexts. This analysis then raises ethical questions about (a) textbook notions of instructions as systematic procedures designed to produce predictable outcomes, (b) limits of particular types of information as signs or indexes of risk, (c) the role of generalized knowledge in uncertain environments, (d) the role of texts in representing knowledge that is sensory and uncertain, and (e) the locus of responsibility for safety if knowledge exists outside of written texts.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1998-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088398015002001
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (19)

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Written Communication
Show all 19 →
  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Computers and Composition
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Written Communication
  6. Technical Communication Quarterly
  7. Written Communication
  8. Written Communication
  9. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  10. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  11. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  12. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  13. Written Communication
  14. Written Communication

Cites in this index (3)

  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 12 works outside this index ↓
  1. Artificial experts: Social knowledge and intelligent machines
  2. 10.1109/47.108666
  3. 10.1007/BF00146924
  4. Modernity and self-identity: Self and society in the late modern age
  5. 10.1177/0306312793023003005
  6. The death of nature
  7. 10.1515/9781400828494
  8. 10.1177/0306312793023003003
  9. 10.1109/47.180286
  10. 10.1177/0306312793023003006
  11. 10.1177/0306312793023003004
  12. 10.1088/0963-6625/1/1/008
CrossRef global citation count: 35 View in citation network →