StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Theory of Knowledge - Case Study Example

Cite this document
Summary
This work called "Theory of Knowledge" describes beliefs and opinions as so important as the rational justifications given to assigning value to knowledge. The author outlines the value of knowledge, the ideas of this theory. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.4% of users find it useful
Theory of Knowledge
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Theory of Knowledge"

Theory of Knowledge "The knowledge that we value the most is the knowledge for which we can provide the strongest justification." To what extent would you agree with this claim? When it comes to understanding knowledge and the value of certain types as well as units of knowledge, justification becomes quite important. However, justification alone is not the strongest factor for assigning value to knowledge since other measures can also be used to assess how value can be given to a piece of knowledge. To fully understand the idea of justification giving value to knowledge, we must not only consider justification as a measure but also look at other means by which knowledge can be assigned value. However, once those elements come together, it becomes clear that the justification of knowledge does not have to be right or wrong, it simply has to be strong in order for the knowledge itself to have value. The first example in this regard comes from Plato himself and Cornford (2003) explains Plato’s ideas about the value of knowledge by saying that while knowledge itself is valuable, opinion and beliefs may affect the manner in which knowledge is valued. While it may be entirely possible to give knowledge a value through justification that comes from perception or even experimentation, personal opinion or the beliefs may form a stronger basis on which knowledge is valued. In fact, it is entirely possible that personal opinion or belief may decrease the justification of knowledge to the point that it becomes valueless. For example, a person who holds the firm belief that there is a god may not be convinced through any measure or even evidence that there is no such entity as god. In essence, such a person may give more value to their belief that there is a god and thus have opinions based on the presence of god rather than to look at the piece of knowledge in an objective manner. There may be no real justification for a person to believe that there actually is a god but simply by having the kind of opinion that supports the idea of god will give them valuable knowledge about the existence of god. However, in such matters the idea of relativism remains quite strong since what is valued as justifiable knowledge by one individual may not be justifiable to another. Individual justification for knowledge may also be applied to more secular positions such as political opinions and even economic ideologies. In essence, wherever there can be a debate about the facts and even the interpretation of the facts, the value of knowledge may not solely depend on the justification provided for it but can also extend to include the opinions of the person formed by other pieces of knowledge. This idea was explored in depth by Kvanvig (2003) who suggests that the value of knowledge may not depend completely or even primarily on the scientific and empirical justification for it. This certainly goes against the fundamental idea that factual knowledge is more important than belief itself since the argument presented by the author is that the value of knowledge may be impossible to determine. However, he does present the argument noted by Socrates that in practical terms, knowledge and belief may both be used to serve the purposes of the individual. This the argument taken a step further by Kvanvig (2003) who notes that the value of knowledge must be more than the opinions and beliefs as well as any experiments that go towards forming that knowledge in the first place. Therefore, for some parts and pieces of knowledge, simple belief may be more important in creating value than any amount of justification which can be provided for it. In terms of justification, the idea of reliability does not stand when it comes to belief since beliefs are held to be true to begin with. Internalized justifications for those beliefs is certainly not equated with knowledge but considered to be justified beliefs that may even be held dearer than knowledge itself. This connects directly with the idea of virtuous true belief being more valuable than simple beliefs that are held to be true. In this manner, beliefs that are unjustifiable may also depend on the way knowledge is imparted to an individual. For example, a person may be given the knowledge throughout life that one gender is always inferior to the other and thus s/he may spend a lifetime going through situations that not only assert this belief but also build on it. In fact, if any information or experience is found to be counter to this belief it may be ignored entirely to the point that it is completely filtered out. Adding the idea of holding such beliefs to be virtuous can only enhance the particular piece of knowledge being more valuable and justifiable even though it is something that is clearly doubtful. In fact, the very nature of knowledge becomes ethereal when we consider that knowledge and even beliefs based on a piece of knowledge can be twisted or even entirely fabricated by someone. For example a child can believe in the existence of Santa Claus and firmly adhere to the idea that Santa brings gifts by coming down his/her chimney. The justification for this belief is not only the reliability of the information obtained from his/her parents but also the evidence left by Santa of his visits. However, this belief and the knowledge about Santa may be destroyed quite quickly if the child is told that Santa does not exist in reality but is only a figment of imagination. For the child, the justification for the existence of Santa Claus is quite right since it is connected with something which is not only beneficial for the child; it also provides him/her with value. This idea can also be led to explain why some individuals would so strongly believe in an idea that they would be willing to die for it and kill for it regardless of the idea being correct. Certainly, a piece of knowledge that is held so dear that a person is willing to kill in the name of it must have a strong justification and the stronger the justification given for the piece of knowledge, the more likely is a person to believe in it. Perhaps the idea of human rationality and reasoning also connects with the notion of the value of knowledge. That is to say, whatever can be reasoned and rationalized can be given value and thus justified. A terrorist planning to kill himself and others at the same time may rationalize that he is simply doing this since he has no other option. His reasoning for killing himself may also be dependant upon getting eternal life as a martyr and all the blessings which can be obtained in an afterlife. Even if he has no real knowledge of such rewards waiting for him, the simple reassurance that he has been given through the words of others may be quite enough. In conclusion, it becomes easy to say that beliefs and opinions may be as important as the rational justifications given to assign value to knowledge. However, the justification which is based on notions other than rationality may be equally strong as compared to a justification that comes through rational thought or scientific data. In fact, such justification may actually be stronger than what can be proved through scientific means. Therefore, the justification or the reason behind the value of knowledge may not be as important as the strength carried by the given justification. Word Count: 1, 276 Works Cited Cornford, F. 2003, Platos Theory of Knowledge, Dover. Kvanvig, J. 2003, The Value of Knowledge and the Pursuit of Understanding, Cambridge University Press. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Theory of Knowledge Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words, n.d.)
Theory of Knowledge Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words. https://studentshare.org/education/1718872-theory-of-knowledge-tok
(Theory of Knowledge Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
Theory of Knowledge Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words. https://studentshare.org/education/1718872-theory-of-knowledge-tok.
“Theory of Knowledge Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”. https://studentshare.org/education/1718872-theory-of-knowledge-tok.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Theory of Knowledge

Discussing the Theory of Knowledge

Ever since their invention, humans consider machines as their important and indispensable allies.... Without them we cannot possibly accomplish feats in any of our fields of endeavor.... We can even say that we have been endowed with reason so that we can create machines or tools that will help us in creating astounding inventions that will improve the standard of our lives. … In its more technical meaning, machines are instruments designed to transmit or modify the application of power, force or motion....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Theory of Knowledge

This is a interesting question.... It is difficult to know whether literature can tell the truth better than other arts.... First of all we have to know what kind of arts, and then what kind of literature.... There are many different arts.... These are film, poetry, painting and sculpture.... hellip; Some people include photography as an art....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge

An author of the essay "An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge" claims that 'belief' is the extent to which we think is the truth and 'truth' is the extent to which things really are.... hellip; Plato invites us to imagine a group of life-long inhabitants of a prison-cave with no knowledge what so ever of the outside world.... Plato invites us to imagine a group of life-long inhabitants of a prison-cave with no knowledge what so ever of the outside world....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Kants Theory of Knowledge

This German philosopher stands as the key personality of modern… Kant's Theory of Knowledge was developed so as to ascertain the relationship between knowledge and human experiences. In the formulation of the Kant's Theory of Knowledge In the of theorizing knowledge, the renowned philosopher, Immanuel Kant, had explicitly described and explained thebasics of human experience structure and asserted that reason was the source of morality.... Kant's Theory of Knowledge was developed so as to ascertain the relationship between knowledge and human experiences....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Marx and Materialism: a Study in Marxist Theory of Knowledge

This paper "Marx and Materialism: a Study in Marxist Theory of Knowledge" describes Marx's critique on materialism with the ideology that materialism itself is the state of only recognizing things that are physical.... nbsp;Beyond even these basic laws of dialectical materialism, Marx and Engel are known for their communist theory which is not only a relatively common term today, but just as it is common it is equally misunderstood or stigmatized....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge

"International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge" paper describes different ways of knowing that must be used in order to distinguish between what is true and what is merely believed to be true.... nbsp; We need actual truth and facts to support our knowledge about everything....
7 Pages (1750 words) Coursework

The Definition of Theory of Knowledge

The paper "The Definition of Theory of Knowledge" describes that explicit knowledge is easy to understand and express while implicit is hard to understand and express.... This kind of knowledge is usually dominant in the western part of the world; however, from the Japanese point of view, this is just the tip of an iceberg.... hellip; Musicians express their knowledge with their melody; artists like painters fall into the depth of nature and come up with some paintings that have meanings, which not everyone can understand....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Plato's Theory of Knowledge

… The paper “Plato's Theory of Knowledge“ is an impressive variant of essay on philosophy.... The paper “Plato's Theory of Knowledge“ is an impressive variant of essay on philosophy.... Plato postulates the tripartite definition of knowledge by stating that before any statement could be recognized as knowledge, it must be (i) justified, (ii) true, and (iii) believed.... Plato postulates the tripartite definition of knowledge by stating that before any statement could be recognized as knowledge, it must be (i) justified, (ii) true, and (iii) believed (O'Brien, 2006)....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us