Emotions in the Pursuit of Knowledge, Essay Example

Can we know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge?

In the pursuit of obtaining knowledge, a time comes when one stands in a dilemma. Some part of him feels like it knows something or everything about a subject of interest or a topic of discussion, whereas some other part feels that it knows either nothing or very little, thus there is the urge to know more[1]. Whatever that drives us within our inner self is actually a sense of emotions. With this dilemma, one wonders when to trust our emotions and when not to. It happens that one can never know everything about a something. We take an example of Newton, a very essential scientist in the field of physics and chemistry. As far as I am concerned, I can attest that 80% of the learned fellows would never believe that Newton never worked alone, he had some super giants against him. Newton himself admitted that he was only able to create his theory since many other scientists had made many discoveries before him. He was only able to see further into the field, but he was not the original inventor. If someone was told to attend a conference or workshop to discuss Newton‘s history and his discoveries, many would trust their emotions that they already have the relevant knowledge with respect to Newton. Sometimes, we can trust emotions in knowledge acquisition, but to what extent. This paper seeks to establish the extent to which we can know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge.

Discussion of the general terms in the topic of discussion

In this topic,” Can we know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge”; the key words include trust, emotions and knowledge.

Emotions are biological responses accompanied with cognitive and behavioral elements. Emotion and affections are corporeal and inter-subjective dimensions of a person, which decisively influences the modes of knowing. They play a critical role in influencing the area of current interest. In studying cognitive science, there is a claim that emotions are rational in nature; they play a significant role in working intelligently. Cognitively influences emotions, and this emotions later influence every single action[2]. In describing emotions from a greater sense of view, we consider the corporeal / biological emotions that consist of the brain and the mental and spiritual emotions comprising of the soul. The two units, the soul and the brain do work together to form the emotions.

Trust is a sense of believe. If a person trusts in someone, then he tends to believe or rather confide in him. Whatever the person one confides with says; there is ready acceptance with very little or no doubts at all. Most of the people would say, “I trust my emotion”, more especially when in a dilemma. Such people would take into consideration whatever that comes in the mind first. Considering the Christians, they do trust in God, and some one would say, “I trust in God, he will surely make a way”. Therefore, trust is a strong believes that is inseparable from a person unless something happens to break the trust.

Knowledge is a purely information. When one says he has knowledge about something, then it means this person has the relevant information regarding the subject. One can obtain knowledge in a number of ways including reading, observation, and life experience, out of curiosity and in most cases out of undergoing through a formal education. Having the right amount of information or rather, knowledge in a particular subject gives one the confidence to seek no more knowledge. However, knowledge has no limits. The more one knows, the more they realize the need to know even more. In fact in essence, people spend millions of money, with no time limits, as some even spend half of their lifetime in the pursuit of obtaining knowledge. Knowledge enhances the common senses of a person such that this person can always distinguish right from the wrong, evil from the holy, right from left, what to do and what not no, and many other common sense scenarios.

Arguments for the topic

The topic is in form of a question, “Can we know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge?” To some extent, we can take a positive answer, and say we can actually know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge. Our emotions speak on behalf of our inner self. Before an emotion reveals itself, there is an involvement of critical thinking. When we talk of critical thinking, it means that emotions do not just come anyhow; they take into consideration all prevailing factors and respond to them. Take for example a person who contemplates on whether he should go for a seminar. Of course, the seminar is a knowledgeable one, meant for those people who have a pursuit for knowledge. While involving the emotions, wise questions come along, can I believe in the topic of discussion, is the topic of the seminar of any help in enhancing my career, is it worthy my time and money, should I change my mind and other questions. Upon answering such questions, then the emotion takes part in and makes a decision. The decision is undoubtedly a wise one. Thereby, it is worthy to involve the emotions, and we can actually tell when to trust our emotions.

We take into considering history, the study of past events. The history of anything never changes whatsoever. Today’s current activities formulate tomorrow’s history. Every bit of item, event, occurrence and whatsoever that exists has a history. In considering the pursuit of knowing the history of something, the emotions take part in making wise decisions. Some historic events are so insignificant in somebody’s life. Knowing them or not does not make a difference in someone’s life, in such a case, the probability of the emotions disregarding the topic is s high. We can always tell when such incidences happen and thereby trust our emotions.

Arguments against the topic

Taking a critical look at the topic of discussion, “Can we know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge?” in essence, it is quite difficult to know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge. Emotions are inborn; they vary with respect to time, place, and moods. Different types of people have different emotions at different times. The emotional responses of different persons regarding a given incidence vary. Thereby, a third party would have difficulties in determining which emotional response to trust, the right time to trust the emotion. In essence, emotions are misleading[3]. A case could occur when one has personal problems. These personal problems truncated to emotions, and upon believing or rather trusting in such emotions, they mislead. A family problem for example would lead one into loosing the psyche of attending any educational lecture. This person would trust his emotions and feel like he already knows enough regarding the topic of discussion.  These misleading are a great show of the lack of the knowledge on when exactly we should trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge.

A time comes when people have a very tight schedule such that sparing time in the pursuit of knowledge is almost impossible. On approaching such a person, then he would have a thousand and one reasons as to why his emotions were not for the pursuance of such knowledge.  He may even end up saying that he had obtained previous knowledge from some other place. Some would even disregard the statement accompanying the pursuance of knowledge, which is the desire to know almost everything, thus saying it is impossible[4]. Majority of such people would never admit that their busy schedule, rather, they would just lay blame to their emotions. This is yet another reason explaining that we cannot know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge.

Conclusion

From the discussions in the paper, both arguments have weight. At some point, we ought to trust our emotions, yet at some other, our emotions are untrustworthy. Either way, it is important to trust our emotions, provided we consider all facts. Factors as stress and depression need elimination while considering trusting one’s emotions.

References

Lakshman, C. Post acquisition cultural integration in mergers & acquisitions: A knowledge-based approach.  Human Resource Management. Vol. 50 Issue 5, 2011: p605-623. 19p.

Mathews, Jose. Vikalpa Knowledge Creation in Organizations: A Social-Cognitive View: The Journal for Decision Makers. Vol. 37 Issue 3, 2012: p73-86. 14p.

Nonaka, Ikujiro & von Krogh, Georg. Tacit Knowledge and Knowledge Conversion: Controversy and Advancement in Organizational Knowledge Creation Theory. Organization Science. Vol. 20 Issue 3, 2009: p635-652. 18p.

Windsperger, Josef & Gorovaia, Nina Knowledge attributes and the choice of knowledge transfer mechanism in networks: the case of franchising.  Journal of Management & Governance. Vol. 15 Issue 4, 2011: p617-640. 24p.

[1] Lakshman, C. Post acquisition cultural integration in mergers & acquisitions: A knowledge-based approach.  Human Resource Management. Vol. 50 Issue 5, 2011: p605-623. 19p.

[2] Mathews, Jose. Vikalpa Knowledge Creation in Organizations: A Social-Cognitive View: The Journal for Decision Makers. Vol. 37 Issue 3, 2012:  p73-86. 14p.

[3] Nonaka, Ikujiro & von Krogh, Georg. Tacit Knowledge and Knowledge Conversion: Controversy and Advancement in Organizational Knowledge Creation Theory. Organization Science. Vol. 20 Issue 3, 2009: p635-652. 18p

[4] Windsperger, Josef & Gorovaia, Nina Knowledge attributes and the choice of knowledge transfer mechanism in networks: the case of franchising.  Journal of Management & Governance. Vol. 15 Issue 4, 2011:  p617-640. 24p.