The Different Ways of Knowing, Essay Example

How can the different ways of knowing help us to distinguish between something that is true and something that is believed to be true?

Unpack the Prescribed Topic

It is important to understand current events in a manner that takes previous events into consideration. To determine whether something is true or just believed to be true, it is necessary to uncover the facts that underlie the situation. A fact can be defined as something that has proven through experimentation. On the other hand, truth is lacking or “believed to be true” when opinions are expressed. A thorough understanding of intuition, faith, and memory can allow us to differentiate between something that is true and something that is believed to be true. It is valuable to explore existing knowledge in a way that would allow an individual to determine fact from opinion in order to more objectively understand historical and current events.

Knowledge Questions

It is important to understand the definition of truth to determine reality from friction. The answers to these questions will be explored through WOK and AOK. In particular, historical works can analyzed in a manner that takes into consideration the goal of the author and potential incentives for biasing the work. Fact and opinion will be distinguished through using not just what the author writes, but how it is written, and how the work can impact others. An analysis will be conducted to determine several different perspectives that could be had of the work. Both objective and subjective interpretations of the work will be provided. Evidence will be cited directly from the texts as a form of justification. They will then be evaluated on the basis of the context and intention of the author, as well as alternative intensions that may exist. Last, an implication will be drawn from the text to determine whether the information is true or simply believed to be true.

Linking Areas of Knowledge and Ways of Knowing

At the Boston Massacre Trial, John Adams famously proclaimed “This is a witness for the crown, and his testimony is of great weight for the prisoners; he gives his testimony very sensibly and impartially” (Adams). When speeches are presented, it is important to determine whether the information they contain are true or believed to be true. As such, there are several ways of knowing that are relevant to this understanding. However, intuition is highly applicable to this situation. It is important to consider that the speaker is discussing the crown. Individuals that read about the Boston Massacre during 1770 and those who read about it today can sense the feelings of the individuals that were involved with the conflict. We can use what we know about history and our own lives to intuitively determine the truth behind the facts that were recorded about this event. Based on the context of this situation, for example, John Adams is condemning the crown due to the conflict that the American colonies had with Britain. Our intuition therefore tells us that the crown should not be trusted. Furthermore, it confirms the belief that the frustrations of the colonists sped up the pace of the revolution. We can use our understanding of facts and opinions to understand the rationalization for what has occurred in historical events.

Next, Adams served as a well-renowned leader of the colonists during the colonial period. Therefore, many individuals that listened to this speech had faith in his words. Because these words applied to the reality of the situation, many people were able to use their intuition to understand the meaning of the Boston Massacre and how it was related to the events that would come. It is therefore apparent that understanding history will not only contribute to an understanding of a particular situation, but help build upon evidence that will allow us to understand potentials for future situations as well.

This understanding contributes greatly to the area of knowledge categorized as history. Adams’ speech was not the first historical address of its kind. Revolutions were common throughout history and leaders delivered similar speeches to their people in order to encourage them to keep struggling to achieve their political goals. As such, we understand that Adams’ statement is true not just for him and the other colonial revolutionaries, but there is a sense of truth that applies to all rebels across the world and independently of time period. As such, it is important to consider that ways of knowing are directly applicable to areas of knowledge. By determining whether what we observe it correct, we can reasonably contribute to basic information in different areas of knowledge. In this case, we learn that Adams believes that colonists should be not be trustful of the crown. However, in general, we understand that in historical events, there are two parties that disagree with one another. The reason for this disagreement is not relevant due to the inherent bias that confounds this relationship. It is clear though, in most historical contexts, there are two sides of the story and it is important to thoroughly assess what both sides have to say before forming judgment.

Knowledge Claims

It is important to trust the opinions of the historical figures we read about. We we can learn much about the historical context of the situation using this method. To fully understand the meaning of Adams’ claim, for example, we must understand that he is speaking ironically. He does not truly believe that the crown representative will give their testimonies “very sensibly and impartially”; he is worried about bias. It is also important to consider that this opinion could be taken literally. Furthermore, Adams could either agree or disagree with the statement he has spoken. In addition, we must be suspicious of scientific information and determine whether existing knowledge refutes prior beliefs.

Others could argue that we should not trust the opinions of historical figures we read about. It is important to collect evidence to determine whether or not doing so would be possible. By exploring the context of statements, we could come to understand them better. For example, it is clear that Adams does not mean what he says directly because he is using artistic license to prove his point. Some individuals may read his speech and believe that he supports the crown. However, if an individual were to conduct thorough research, they would find that the opinions of historical figures are trustworthy. Based on the historic context of the situation and other parts of the speech he presents, it is clear that Adams is against the crown. Therefore, by gaining a more thorough understanding, we are better able to determine whether claims are truth or opinion.

Conclusion

Using intuition can help us determine whether historical occurrences are true or believed to be true. Truth is different for each individual and we can understand this truth if we attempt to determine the context of the situation. Truth can be an opinion, provided that the individual that reports the opinion is speaking with honesty. Therefore, the truth can coincide with the presentation of an opinion. Overall, it is important to assess the validity of historical statements using an analytical mindset. Studying a statement from several different perspectives helps the statement develop a more significant meaning. It is important to use this method when analyzing historical events because helps to provide a new understanding to a familiar topic.