A Contemporary Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge, Essay Example

“There are only two ways in which humankind can produce knowledge: through passive observation or through active experiment”

Knowledge Questions

The problem with the knowledge question posing whether or not active experimenting and passive observation are the only two ways for human kind to produce knowledge is that the question disregards other ways of knowing that are commonly considered within the theory of knowledge. In addition to experimentation and passive observation not being the only ways of knowing (WOKs) within theory of knowledge studies, they don’t constitute the only methods through which I access knowledge. This is why I do not agree with the statement, as it disregards other ways of knowing like knowledge gathered through authorities on issues or knowledge gained through one’s own intuitive deduction, independent of any current or present observations or experiments.

The fact that I disagree with the argument that passive observation and active experimentation are the only ways of knowing is not to discredit these particular ways of knowing. The observations and active experiments are important because humankind can use these tools to learn about knowledge based on their own interpretation of the event.  One example includes an experiment involving a kite and measuring altitude.  A scientist flying a kite to measure altitude, which is the height from the ground to above the horizon, is based on observation and reading information. The accuracy of the information is imperative because it will be used to potentially calibrate other tools to measure altitude.  The goal is to send the kite up 400 times at different points of sea level to measure form and altitude. Learning to interpret how and why the altitude is different based on the different sea levels and atmospheric changes. This altitude experiment is what we can consider knowledge because the knowledge was learned not produce with scientific observation and experimentation. This theory of knowledge indicates knowledge can be obtained by the actual experience of learning about the altitude. Humankind can use different approaches to gain this knowledge such as biological experiments, chemistry experiments, and physics experiments. Conversely, the scientist did not produce the knowledge; the scientist acquired the knowledge through experimentation to view the knowledge that was already present.

Ways of Knowing

To understand the creation of knowledge, we must first investigate the statement that humankind can produce knowledge and then assess all the ways of knowing (WOK) as they relate to being the product of either being passive or active experiments.. The ways of knowing include sense language, sense perception, emotion, reason, imagination, faith, intuition and memory.  The areas of knowledge include math, science, history, arts and ethics but also can include religious and indigenous knowledge systems.  The ways of knowledge are the ways in which we gain knowledge from the world around us.  Each of these areas are corollary in nature to one another and do not necessarily work independently.  These are the first interactions with new experiences and provide immediate feedback about the new knowledge.

Rational

Rational or logical reasoning relies less on WOKs like observation or experimentation, and more on the inner cognitive support system of the individual or individuals doing the reasoning.  Every time someone uses their own rational to interpret information or a situation they are actively using reasoning as a way of knowing (WOK). Gaining knowledge does not create knowledge. Knowledge is already present but needs to be interpreted.  In this way the clear reasoning that knowledge is available and already created and that the interpretation and gathering of this knowledge is coordinated through the ways of knowing.  This progress of actively constructing and passively coordinating knowledge is how the knowledge base for humans is built. I personally came to this deduction through deductive reasoning and the knowledge base I have built through this theory.

It should be noted, however, that logic is predominantly based on internal memories or consistencies that could possibly stem from observations or experimentation. The problem is the majority of logical reasoning in society today is based on second hand information from trickled down from authority figures, and authority happens to be another way of knowing (WOK) independent of passive observations and active experimentation. Knowledge production through relying on the credibility of an authority figures is one of the most common ways through which common knowledge is formed. Examples of this can be seen with the wide spread appeal of popular psychology books or common misconceptions like  the shared belief in conspiracy theories, or outdated scientific facts like the case where there are those that think Pluto is still a planet. All of these are examples of how reliance of authorities is in itself a way of knowing, and by that interpretation it supports the fact that active experimentation and passive observation are not the only two ways of knowing (WOK).

Emotion

Emotion represents a significant aspect in knowledge production. It involves arousal triggers and their relationship with the brain and cognition.. Since emotional triggers are often occur through distinct experiences, emotion itself could be classified as acquiring knowledge through passive observation. Emotion also could fall into the category of knowledge acquisition through active experimentation. When one actively experiences events on a personal level, they develop first hand understanding of many aspects of life. As experiences can spark emotional triggers, these triggers can in turn produce valuable knowledge the recipient. When one has an experience that results in them feeling an emotion they don’t enjoy, the knowledge acquired is to avoid similar experiences. Likewise, when one observes others learning the hard way about bad experiences, they too can feel the same emotion without personally experiencing the event. In this way emotion falls both within active experimentation and passive observation as a way of knowing. Acquiring knowledge through emotional triggers from passive observation or active experimentation could also be classified as learning.

Learning is the process in which an entity acquires or changes an existing baseline of knowledge.  The knowledge could be that of a set of behaviors or skills as well as functional and preferential aspects regarding the transformation of data and environment.  Learning does not occur instantaneously but involves a perpetual and contextual process that builds upon base knowledge that was already gained, experiences and the collection of processes in the new learning area. There are multiple ways for learning to occur or received by the learner.  The three main types of learning reception include audial, visual and kinesthetic.  Audial learning utilizes the sense of hearing to interpret the action and environment through audible recognition.  Visual utilizes the same principle of audio but relies on visual stimulus.  Kinesthetic learning utilize a hands on approach in which performing an action results in a learned behavior.

There are many types of learning that include but not limited to the major categories such as non-associative learning, associative learning and observational learning.  The cognitive domain includes areas such as learning to recall events and calculate mathematical problems.  The psychomotor field involves learning to walk, drive, or other physical actions.  The third domain is the affective area which includes learning love, fear or the appreciation of something.  These areas of learning divide how something is learned and what domain the learning takes places.  Catering the learning styles and area of focus to a targeted market would create a more effective and sustainable learning model.  Tailoring the learning to specific groups would provide a more focused and directed learning scenario which would lead to a greater acceptance of the material and increased knowledge of the recipients.  The focus of learning is not of creating knowledge but transforming the data to information.

Intuition

Intuition is another example of an alternative way of knowing (WOK). It entails non-traditional methods of perceiving and adapting information into knowledge, which involves inspiration and acquiring new knowledge through old memories and sensations. An example of intuition can be seen with adrenaline or instinct. In cases where a grandmother comes to a parking lot to find her grandbaby stuck underneath a car and she lifts the car to free the child, she uses her instincts to lift the car. In this example, the grandmother does not consciously know she can lift the car, but she does instinctively know it due to the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Another example of intuition or instinctively knowledge can be seen in the case of a man who has never eaten fish seafood before in his life, and never been fishing, who suddenly finds himself lost at sea. If the man becomes hungry enough, he will instinctively teach himself how to fish; he will instinctively be drawn to the parts of the fish that provide him with needed nutrients, and he may even muster the awareness to avoid hazardous or unhealthy parts of the fish. This type of knowledge is not produced through observation and experimentation. It is not always accurate or fact based either, but it has its place within the ways of knowing (WOKs). Conclusion

Conclusion

In conclusion, I disagree with the argument that passive observation and active experimentation are the only ways of knowing. This is not to take away from the importance of both concepts as credible ways of knowing (WOKs). They are just not the only ways, and by implying they are the only ways for human kind to produce knowledge, it disregards other methods such as the production of knowledge through one’s own intuition or the production of knowledge through and authority. In fact, it could be argued that knowledge production through active experimentation is really just knowledge acquired through authorities. While there may be information that is transferred into knowledge through experimentations, the data from those experiments can’t become common knowledge without the sharing the information. The problem is that most information is shared based on the credibility of it source.  .There are also other ways of knowing like acquiring knowledge through information intuition, logic. These are ways of knowing (WOKs) like knowledge acquired through authorities, that are distinctly separate from active experimentation and passive observation.

References

Audi, R., (2009). A contemporary introduction to the theory of knowledge. Routledge, Taylor & France Group. New York.

Chomsky, N. (1972). Language and mind (p. 100). New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP) (2008). Epistemology. Retrieved November 6, 2014 from http://www.iep.utm.edu/epistemo/