True Knowledge or Bias and Selection?

1587 Words4 Pages

In the past, as well as in current times, both historians and scientists have strived to present knowledge that is free of bias, a prejudice in favor or against one thing, and selection, the act of having a preference when carefully choosing the most suitable thing. In a nutshell, they try their best to present knowledge that is objective and impartial in nature. Nonetheless, there are times, in which the knowledge that they present to us contains certain hints of bias and selection. Hence, the knowledge is to be considered as subjective and representative. With respect to all these, the claim that it is possible to attain knowledge despite problems of bias and selection actually lingers in my mind. I believe that it is, in fact, possible, but, at the same time, I believe that the problems of bias and selection may limit the knowledge that we attain. I am contemplating whether there is anything wrong with knowledge that contains hints of bias and selection and whether knowledge that has been tainted with bias and selection is still worth knowing, so does subjective knowledge render the knowledge irrelevant is the knowledge issue at hand. In history, it is ideal to, first, take a look at why the historian, a person dedicated to the study of past events, is like a painter rather than a photographer. As a historian presents knowledge to the public, he/she is supposed to be as unbiased and as objective as one can be; however, it is truly difficult and tough to do so if it is even possible. In this sense, historians endeavor to be like a photographer due to the fact that photographers capture exact and detailed images right then and there as something is happening. Simply put, historians strive to be able to pres... ... middle of paper ... ...eas of knowledge has already been tainted with bias and selection as stated above. There is merely a slight chance of the knowledge not having any hints of bias and selection. In spite of this, of course, knowledge can still be objective and impartial in nature, which is good since the people will be provided with complete accounts and information. Nonetheless, the sheer amount of knowledge may render it useless, as well as clouding the truth. Whereas, knowledge with hints of bias and selection may be subjective and representative, but, on a brighter note, the knowledge may be more specific and better evaluated. Better evaluated in the sense that a debate between different people under the influence of bias and selection can contribute to the growth of knowledge. That is why, at the end of the day, knowledge with hints of bias and selection is still worth knowing.

Open Document