ABSTRACT
Action learning is first and foremost an idea or philosophy and not simply an alternative educational or training method. Reg Revans sought to heal the split that he saw as having developed historically between thinking and doing, ideas and action. Action learning contains a moral philosophy concerning individual and social development and involving: honesty about self; attempting to do good in the world; and for the purpose of friendship. Many people across the world have learned the value of action learning without ever having heard of Revans or his philosophy. This chapter presents a case illustrating the practical value of action learning through the work of Tony, a hospital doctor, who is angry about his organisation and who wants to change it. Revans is always on the side of the individual seeking to act and learn, but he is also concerned to specify the conditions that should best promote action learning.
