Full Idea
Thought about the world is prior to thought about how to change the world. Accordingly, knowing that is prior to knowing how. Descartes was right, and Ryle was wrong.
Gist of Idea
Knowing that must come before knowing how
Source
Jerry A. Fodor (LOT 2 [2008], Ch.1)
Book Reference
Fodor,Jerry A.: 'LOT 2: the Language of Thought Revisited' [OUP 2008], p.14
A Reaction
The classical example is knowing how to ride a bicycle, when few people can explain what is involved. Clearly you need quite a bit of propositional knowledge before you step on a bike. How does Fodor's claim work for animals?