Theory Of Knowledge

Theory Of Knowledge

In today’s society, science is regarded as being the most trusted form

of knowledge, leading to many claiming it to be the supreme form of

knowledge. To investigate whether or not this is justified we must

compare science to other forms/areas of knowledge and consider what

they each contribute.

The strongest argument science has to claim this title, is the

objectivity and empirical nature of its method and in particular its

verifying processes; mainly based on inductive and deductive reasoning.

Modern science is closely related to inductive reasoning and is

presented as a distinctive feature of scientific activity today.

Induction works by verification: correspondence process, which

involves making predictions about the future based on past experience.

However, problems with this technique limit the validity of the

conclusions drawn from it. Primarily the problem is the degree of

accuracy attached to any conclusion made, which is tied to the number

of observations that confirm with it. Likewise, the appearance of a

single observation that does not conform to the general law

invalidates the conclusion. In comparison, Deductive reasoning is a

more accurate verification technique, as it does not allow for

‘degrees of accuracy’. It works through verification: coherence

process, which involves formulating a general law which becomes

standard and by which any further examples are judged against.

Eventually scientists have come to realise the methodological problems

with these two techniques of verification. In an attempt to eliminate

these fundamental errors, scientists have attempted to incorporate the

fu...

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...s statement is essentially a

misconception. I have discovered that Knowledge can be anything, fact

and fiction. Likewise I acknowledge that science is an essential

source of knowledge as it provides one way of finding logical truth

about the universe and a means to promote one’s ability to understand

his surrounding. However, ultimately, science provides only a small

fraction of knowledge that we require, and is not the supreme form

some claim it to be.

Sources

The Structure of Scientific revolution (1962) publ. University of

Chicago Press, 1962. Thomas Kuhn

Cartesian Meditation, publ. Indiana University Press (February 1,

1995)

Edmund Husserl

Natural Sciences, Handout

John Mackenzie

Essay of understanding,

David Hume

Two Cultures – Art and Science, Documentary - Channel 4 2000