The Way in Which Shared Knowledge Can Shape Personal Knowledge, Essay Example

Personal knowledge primarily focuses on what one knows individually in contrasts on what is shared collectively. Shared knowledge is representative of sociocultural knowledge, and is often the collective result of combined perspectives through the process of elimination to form a commonly shared view. The following will assess how shared knowledge impacts personal knowledge and it will assess this interaction between the two within history and the arts.

The knowledge question involves the interaction between personal knowledge and shared knowledge, specifically how shared knowledge impacts individual knowledge.

Previous experiences, points of view, knowledge is exchanged or delivered through a variety of cognitive processes significantly impact how knowledge is perceived or processes. With the Theory of Knowledge these forms of knowledge production, acquisition, distribution, and exchange are known as ways of knowing (WOK). Shared knowledge tends to be acquired through collective means such as active experiments or observations, while ways of knowing in personal knowledge happens from memories, emotions, intuition or instinct.

In traditional thought, knowledge is acquired by sharing information with others. This works in two ways; first, we learn from listening to what others have to say. Second, we build upon this knowledge by integrating this new information into a context of our preexisting understanding. In this manner, we come to understand the opinions of others and are provided with the ability to determine whether these opinions should be perceived as true or false. It is in this manner that we are able to learn. A majority of our understanding of traditional academic thought derives from the work of Aristotle, which states that repetition is a key to developing habits and therefore helps us learn. This is a necessary understanding because the purpose of our discussion of thoughts and ideas with others serves a creative manner by which we are able to reinforce the information that we hear.

What can be considered shared knowledge in history?

The meaning or interpretation of history is largely based on those who control access to information. As information is transitioned into knowledge, the gatekeepers guarding access to information are the ones who dictate what kind of knowledge is considered important and what kind of knowledge isn’t. For example, it is a historically shared belief that Hitler was a violent war criminal, but if Hitler had won World War II, it is probably an understatement to say what is historically known about Hitler would be completely different from what is known today.

What can be considered important and relevant in history? There is an ideological debate as to what can be considered important and relevant history.

A real life example of shared knowledge in history is the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. They represent an example of shared knowledge because the events that occurred became known worldwide. The shared view within the media and publicly promoted by the U.S. government, was that Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda were behind the attacks. On the other hand, there were still many who had their own speculations about the event but kept quiet initially in fear of sharing their minority view and being scrutinized for it. This fear to speak their mind is one example of how shared knowledge can influence or impact personal knowledge. The consequences are even more severe in cases where the individual knows beyond the shadow of a doubt they are correct but they are told by the majority group they are wrong.

While there have always been conspiracy theories surrounding the event, it’s fair to say had the shared view not been so prominently broadcasted and shared throughout the world in the aggressive and urgent manner it was, more individuals might have felt free to speak their minds about their person perspective on the incident. Over  decade after the 9/ll terrorist attacks, there many people who now voice their opinion that they don’t believe Bin Laden was the cause, or that it was a part of a government cover up. Regardless of what the their opinions may be the point is without the constant influence of collective shared knowledge machine of the media to influence their thought processes, individuals feel free to voice what they think based on gut instincts, intuition, perception and other ways of knowing through which personal knowledge tend to be acquired.  This would constitute individual knowledge as it relates to history. Another example of personal knowledge as it relates to history can be seen in history can be seen in how one may view themselves and their identity based on their intimate interpersonal knowledge of self, specifically through their memories, and cognitive and emotional responses to certain incidents in their past.  As PhD professors are expected to provide instruction and publish new research, they provide an individual contribution of knowledge in history.

We develop an understanding of what is relevant when our brain reaches a certain level of maturity, according to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. When we are children, we begin to struggle to understand the world around us. For some, this is successful and they are able to achieve learning more quickly. Yet, for others, this is more of a struggle. Therefore, some individuals are able to understand reality more readily than others.

Ultimately, we can work towards understanding the reality of this situation by consulting the research that has been reported on the topic and by engaging in discussions with others. By allowing ourselves of gain a greater knowledge on the topic, we are provided with a greater opportunity to think critically about what was learned. Therefore, an individual can select the true version of what has occurred by determining what makes the most sense to them in terms of their current and prior knowledge. As a consequence, it is possible for the truth of a situation to be different for each individual as a result of their distinct experiences. However, it is perfectly acceptable that each of us have our own truths, as this is what makes our abilities to think independently valuable to the world.

How is music knowledge?

What is shared knowledge in music?

Shared knowledge in music entails the sharing of history, technique and even identity of the composer. When a musician studies a musical instrument or the craft of musical production, more often than not they study the works of as many musical artists who came before them. When modern classical composers study Mozart they don’t just study his works they study his life and assess how it related to his music. Those authorities on the topic of Mozart in turn share their knowledge with the public through interviews and lectures. Eventually, an impassioned director inspired by the music makes a film about the life of Mozart and uses the music as the soundtrack, embedding the image with the music worldwide in the minds of readers. Other filmmakers inspired by this film make remakes growing the concept into a culture or ideology to be expounded upon exponentially generations after generation. Novels are written about his life with the music already synonymously with the name of the man in the minds of the readers from years of exposure to Mozart as a concept or ideology. This is one way shared knowledge functions in music. This way, while it has its subtleties is much more direct than the real way through which music is shared and passed down through ages through people emotionally connecting with sounds and rhythms and then recreating those sounds to add on to them and produce something slightly new but still carrying on the tradition of the old.

Music is an example of how knowledge passes from generation to generation. Our understanding of music is consistent because we continue to discuss these ideas with one another. This concept is verified by Immanuel Kant, who stated that we learn through thinking and reasoning. By engaging in conversations about music, whether it pertain to the art itself or its history, we are able to learn about and build upon our understanding of music by engaging in these conversations. By conversing, we are ultimately thinking, and therefore educating ourselves.

A real life example of a musical artist that contributes to the sharing of knowledge today is Kanye West. While is genre of music is type-casted as the hip hop genre through the evolution of the genre, he has sampled a wide range of music artists, everyone from Coldplay and Nina Simone, to Otis Redding, to Elton John. Through sampling music from his childhood and mixing with sounds he searches for vigorously in the modern day, he creates a completely unique and original sound while still sharing the knowledge of past music techniques, and artists with the public in the modern day.

These reflections on history and music indicate that the context of a situation in terms of prior knowledge is essential to generate an understanding of it. Through an understanding of history, we can make greater sense of the events that our occurring in our lives in the present. Furthermore, through understanding music we can gain a greater understanding of individual thinkers and determine how their work relates to our ability to conceive similar thoughts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the meaning of knowledge is largely defined by those who are able to understand it best. In terms of history and music, this is the ability to understand events and ideas within a larger societal context. We can use this understanding to become experts in our own fields. Ultimately, all that is necessary is to gain knowledge of a topic of interest and then think about it critically to determine a practical application. When this is done, one becomes the owner of this information, which helps propagate and develop knowledge for future generations.