While the experience, proven technique, or research of an expert on a given subject are all tremendous guides in the quest for knowledge, the opinion of said expert will almost certainly hinder or deter one in the pursuit of knowledge. The very nature of an opinion is something that undoubtedly challenges the three aforementioned factors in regards to the search of knowledge. Most definitions of the word “opinion” have the same characteristics in diction, with “a belief,” “a personal view,” and “estimate” all topping the list of the most commonly used phrases and words. The most commonly used phrases and words in the diction of the definitions of “knowledge” are “truth,” “state of knowing,” and “study or investigation.” In comparison, it is clear to see that the two terms are not only contradictions, but are also on opposite ends on the spectrum in regards to seeking knowledge. So while one can surely base an opinion upon experience or research, the opinion of an expert is most likely created by personal interest, emotion, or a lack of research. Therefore, an opinion will cause one to stray off the path in the proverbial “quest for knowledge,” simply because an opinion is based on personal insight, while fact is absolute truth, unbiased in its nature.
Most research is funded by government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, or other well established entities, so at the very least, personal interest is at the core of every grant given or research project commissioned. In the scenario about to be given, I will showcase how personal interest can not only hinder the search for knowledge, but nearly crush the endeavor before it begins. Let's say “El Dorado Cigarettes” funds “United Front Tobacco Research” for research and proof that ...
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...et that an opinion on the search for knowledge can be just as deadly as a trap while on an adventure, they're one in the same in fact. “If we take the opinion of experts of that field and follow his advises there are every chances of accomplishing that work easily and without much problem. Therefore we should follow such a path that leads to happiness and where there is no fear of going astray.” This quote comes from the Vajurveda, the third text of the four canonical texts of Hinduism, the Vedas. I have included this quote to show one fallacy that befalls all who seek opinion: if all those seeking knowledge follow the same path of opinion, then they could not possibly be on the path to knowledge. Those who diverge from the path set forth are truly the ones who will gain knowledge and insight. Going astray, into the unknown, is what shaped the world as it is today.
We as humans tend to have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. We look for knowledge about everybody and everything that surrounds us in our day-to-day life. Sadly though, we must accept that in the grand scheme of life we (as a society) tend to put pleasure above our quest for knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge tends to take time and energy, two things we call invaluable, and it also shows us things that might depress us. Contrastingly, ignorance takes no time and energy.
Knowledge is defined as information and skills one acquires through experience or education. There is; however, a certain knowledge than cannot be certain and is unjustifiable from the scientific perspective. Karen Armstrong, Robert Thurman, and Azar Nafisi wrote about this type of knowledge in their essays: “Homo Religiosus,” “Wisdom,” and “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” respectively. Each of these authors has a different view of what knowledge is exactly, how it can be achieved, and what it means to have achieved it, but each author takes on the view that the concept of knowledge should be viewed from a social stance. Armstrong refers to this uncertain knowledge as “myth,” Thurman refers to it as “wisdom,” and Nafisi refers to it as “upsilamba";
“Knowledge is power. Power to do evil...or power to do good. Power itself is not evil. So knowledge itself is not evil.” - Veronica Roth, Allegiant
Our knowledge is a key to our success and happiness in our life to give us personal satisfaction. Knowledge is power but not always. Sometimes our self-awareness and growth as an individual gives us negative thoughts that make us want to go back to undo it. Everyone wants to unlearn a part in our life that brought us pain and problems. Good or bad experiences brought by true wisdom can be used for our self-acceptance, self-fulfillment and these experiences would make us stronger as we walk to the road of our so called “life”, but Douglas’s and my experience about knowledge confirmed his belief that “Knowledge is a curse”. Both of us felt frustrated and sad from learning knowledge.
Rationalists would claim that knowledge comes from reason or ideas, while empiricists would answer that knowledge is derived from the senses or impressions. The difference between these two philosophical schools of thought, with respect to the distinction between ideas and impressions, can be examined in order to determine how these schools determine the source of knowledge. The distinguishing factor that determines the perspective on the foundation of knowledge is the concept of the divine.
The pursuit of knowledge can lead to a humans destruction and awareness. The pursuit of
How we approach the question of knowledge is pivotal. If the definition of knowledge is a necessary truth, then we should aim for a real definition for theoretical and practical knowledge. Methodology examines the purpose for the definition and how we arrived to it. The reader is now aware of the various ways to dissect what knowledge is. This entails the possibility of knowledge being a set of truths; from which it follows that one cannot possibly give a single definition. The definition given must therefore satisfy certain desiderata , while being strong enough to demonstrate clarity without losing the reader. If we base our definition on every counter-example that disproves our original definition then it becomes ad hoc. This is the case for our current defini...
So to say, knowledge can either make or break a person. It can act as a benefit, for power, or loss, for ignorance. “Do not take for granted what you know. Ask yourself how you know what you know; ask yourself whom it benefits, whom it hurts and why.” (Blackboard: Knowledge is Power)
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." -- Marcus Aurelius
“It is proper that you should learn all things, both the unshaken heart of well rounded truth, and the opinions of mortals, in which there is no true reliance.” (Parmenides, Fragment 1)
Peter F Drucker, an American author once said, ‘Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes.’ Knowledge mainly consists of information, skills and opinions that are obtained through opportunities in life, encounters with individuals as well as education and life lessons imparted through education. In the modern world today, we pursue knowledge because it is useful for the pursuit of information. For many years, we, as human beings have strived to gain an advanced level of knowledge and information. A disagreement, in my opinion, is the opposite of logic; an argument that contradicts or opposes the evidence that has otherwise proven to be true. Disagreements act as obstacles that hinder the flow of pursuit of knowledge. The idea of a disagreement can be connected to the two important ways of knowing which are perception and reasoning. There are three main forms of disagreements namely religious disagreements, individual disagreements or idealistic disagreements.
Opinions in a finite domain are susceptible to different interpretations and uncertainty, and what is true for one person does not necessarily have to hold true for another. Thus, the concept of truth derived by man is ridden with inconsistencies, all of which are in direct violation with the very definition of truth. Since the building block of human knowledge is this flawed truth, then human knowledge itself is flawed. Sim...
The quest for knowledge and learning has been occuring since the creation of mankind. Ever since the serpent in the Garden of Eden tempted Eve to eat the forbidden apple from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, promising she would wise as the gods, man has been battling with this endless pursuit. Some men want wisdom so that they may be able to live a good and righteous life. Other men want only the power that knowledge can bring them, to use it for their own sinful purposes.
„h Regarding one¡¦s own opinion as being common sense and the most rational stance and the viewpoint of others as being only opinion and naturally wrong.
The first question that needs to be is asked to complete this analysis is: How are knowledge claims created? A knowledge claim is a judgment of something we believe to be true with or without sufficient evidence. Knowledge claims are what we create as a means to justify and/or rationalize our beliefs and thoughts. Knowledge claims are created in an attempt to define and categorize those thoughts. One way knowledge claims are created is through the personal convictions reinforced by others. We live in a culture where we are dependent upon others to reassure us in our beliefs, and in doing so this allows us to form our own idea of what the truth is. For example, I have created knowledge claims based on the influence of others. When I once visited the zoo at the age of 8, I was convinced that elephants and hippos were the same type of animal. When I spoke of my belief to one of my fellow classmates, she assured me that what I was believing was true. Therefore, I created a knowledge claim that elephants and hippos were the same animal based on the reassurance provided to me by someone else. Despite knowing that this knowledge claim is now false, I created that knowledge claim based on the similar belief of others. I felt confident in my “belief” due to the fact that someone else had a similar belief that I did, thus allowing me to feel confident in what I thought to be true, therefore leading to the creation of my knowledge claim. In the scientific community, if a hypothesis has been proven and is widely recognized and is supported by the other logic of scientists without actually doing their own research of experiment, then what has been proven true, they believe to be true. When I also claim to know something, I am able to reach ...