Out of Context: On Learning (Definitions)

"Learning is, in too many cases, but a foil to common sense; a substitute for true knowledge." (William Hazlitt, "Table Talk; or, Original Essays", 1821-1822)

"Learning is its own exceeding great reward; and at the period of which we speak, it bore other fruits, not unworthy of it." (William Hazlitt, "The Plain Speaker", 1826)

"Learning is motivated by intent and understanding by visualization." (A B Garrett, "Visualization: A Step to Understanding", Journal of Chemical Education Vol. 25 (10), 1948)

"Learning is a property of all living organisms." (Winfred B. Hirschmann, "Profit from the Learning Curve", Harvard Business Review, 1964)

"Learning is any change in a system that produces a more or less permanent change in its capacity for adapting to its environment." (Herbert A Simon, "The Sciences of the Artificial", 1968)

"Learning is finding out what you already know." (Richard Bach, "Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah", 1977)

"Teaching is only demonstrating that it is possible. Learning is making it possible for yourself." (Paulo Coelho, "The Pilgrimage", 1987)

"Learning is the process of obtaining new knowledge. It results in a better reaction to the same inputs at the next session of operation. It means improvement. It is a step toward adaptation. Learning is a major characteristic of intelligent systems." (Nikola K Kasabov, "Foundations of Neural Networks, Fuzzy Systems, and Knowledge Engineering", 1996)

"Learning is a multi-faceted, integrated process where changes with any one element alters the larger network. Knowledge is subject to the nuances of complex, adaptive systems." (George Siemens, "Knowing Knowledge", 2006)

"Learning is the process of creating networks." (George Siemens, "Knowing Knowledge", 2006)

"Learning is a process of modifying or completely changing our mental models based on new experiences or evidence." (Edward D Hess, "Learn or Die: Using Science to Build a Leading-Edge Learning Organization", 2014)

"Learning is a dynamic event and so the belief that learning is primarily about the acquisition of facts is fundamentally flawed - the acquisition and manipulation of data is at best a prerequisite to learning. Real learning involves acquiring knowledge and understanding." (William Byers, "Deep Thinking: What Mathematics Can Teach Us About the Mind", 2015)

"A little learning is a dangerous thing." (Alexander Pope)

"Learning is a treasure which accompanies its owner everywhere." (proverb)

"Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets." (Leonardo da Vinci)

"Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence." (Abigail Adams)