As defined above, concepts and propositions are the building blocks for knowledge in any
domain. We can use the analogy that concepts are like the atoms of matter and propositions
are like the molecules of matter. There are only around 100 different kinds of atoms, and
these make up an infinite number of different kinds of molecules. There are now about
460,000 words in the English language (most of which are concept labels), and these can
be combined to form an infinite number of propositions. Although most combinations of
words might be nonsense, there is still the possibility of creating an infinite number of valid
and meaningful propositions. Poets and novelists will never run out of new ideas to express
in new ways. We shall never run out of opportunities to create new knowledge! As people
create and observe new or existing objects or events, the creative people will continue to
create new concepts and new knowledge. Creating new methods of observing or recording
events usually opens up new opportunities for new knowledge creation. For example, the
creation of the concept mapping method for recording subject’s understandings has led new
opportunities to study the process of learning and new knowledge creation.
While there is value in studying more extensively the process of human learning and
human knowledge creation, this is beyond the scope of this document. The reader is invited
to peruse some of the references cited. Some important considerations for construction of
better concept maps and facilitation of learning will be discussed further below.